On November 7th, officers from the Akan Police Department were conducting a routine patrol when they observed a black SUV failing to signal properly at an intersection. When officers initiated a traffic stop, the driver refused to comply, leading to a pursuit through multiple streets. What followed was a tense exchange captured on bodycam footage, shedding light on the suspects’ actions and their subsequent arrest.
The chase began when officers attempted to pull over the black SUV for a traffic violation. Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated, weaving through neighborhoods at varying speeds. Dispatch confirmed the vehicle was registered to an elderly male who was not the driver, raising further suspicions. As officers pursued, they observed erratic driving behavior before the SUV eventually pulled into a driveway.
Upon making contact, officers ordered the occupants to exit the vehicle. The driver, later identified as LaShawnna Taylor, immediately questioned the stop and expressed distrust in law enforcement. Her passenger, Gibruan Dowdell, also resisted initial commands. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, both individuals became increasingly uncooperative, with Taylor stating she fled because she feared police treatment due to her race.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered multiple empty liquor bottles, a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm, and a concealed stash of illegal substances, including 110 ecstasy pills and two bags of marijuana. Taylor claimed the drugs belonged to a relative, while Dowdell denied any knowledge of the firearm. Despite their explanations, both were taken into custody and charged accordingly.
Legal Note: Both suspects now face multiple charges, including fleeing police, possession of drugs, and improper handling of a firearm. The Akan Police Department emphasized that the pursuit was handled professionally and safely, ensuring no bystanders were harmed. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
