WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — A suspect in a series of car thefts in the Lakeland area was wounded in a deputy-involved shooting early Tuesday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Grady Judd said it all began Monday when two men arrived at a mechanic business on Old Tampa Highway at 7:20 p.m. to steal a vehicle.
The sheriff said the two men pretended to put air in a red Dodge when one of them, 25-year-old Neil Bourcy of Mulberry, hopped in a Dodge Nitro that was still running. The employees tried to stop him, even throwing a rock at the suspect, but he drove off with the stolen vehicle.
Judd said both vehicles were found abandoned later on in West Lakeland.
The sheriff said the pair of suspects went to a mobile home community on West Highland Drive to steal another vehicle, with Bourcy pretending to have a gun in his pocket.
When the first victim refused to give them their car keys, Bourcy pulled out his fingers in the form of a gun and said “Bang!” before walking away, according to the sheriff.
During his second attempt, Bourcy was refused again. In response, the suspect cut the victim with a “knife or razor” to the point where the victim needed surgery, Judd said.
He later went to Josephine Street and succeeded in stealing a white Lincoln.
“Between the sheriff’s office and the Lakeland Police Department, we’re feverishly looking for this wild man who has now stolen two vehicles, tried to steal two more vehicle, and gashes someone with a knife or razor,” Judd said.
Deputies later found the stolen Lincoln heading north on Highway 98 south of Lakeland around 2:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Authorities began setting up a perimeter before engaging in a pursuit, but Judd said the suspect noticed the deputies behind him.
The sheriff said Bourcy tried to drive behind someone’s home on Denver Street but got stuck, forcing the suspect to run away.
However, the PCSO aviation unit found Bourcy in the area Nansemond Avenue, informing a deputy of his location.
As the deputy approached, the suspect ran, leading the deputy on a chase through several backyards before getting stuck at a fence. Judd said throughout the chase, Bourcy kept saying “I’ve got a gun!” to the deputy pursuing him.
“When you tell us you’ve got a gun, we’re gonna take you at your word,” Judd said.
The sheriff said when the deputy caught up to him, Bourcy pulled his cellphone out of his jacket. In response, the deputy shot the suspect seven times.
Judd said the deputy did what he should done at the time to protect himself, placing the blame on Bourcy.
“He chose to be shot,” Judd said.
The suspect was taken to Lakeland Regional where he is in critical but stable condition. Judd said he is expected to survive.
A knife was also found on the suspect at the time.
According to the sheriff’s office, Bourcy has nine previous arrests in Pennsylvania and Florida, including drug charges.
Judd said deputies are still looking for the second suspect. He was not with Bourcy during the chase.
