JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police say a 22-year-old man who tried to rob a Walmart employee with a knife before leading investigators on a chase through two counties made his first appearance before a judge Saturday.
Taylor Austin Ryan entered no plea Saturday, hours after police captured him at a Southside apartment complex.
Officers had been searching for Ryan since Thursday. Officers said they found his vehicle on John Turner Butler Boulevard and San Pablo. They tried to stop him but he fled. They chased him to Ponte Vedra, where he ran into a yard.
"I was in that side bathroom washing my hands and saw a car go flying into that next to that house, and then all of a sudden I hear a bunch of sirens," said Sean Dodson, who lives across the street.
Dodson said right after that dozens of police cars filled his street.
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"They were working their way down this way. These neighbors were out of the house, they told him to get back in because they weren't sure where the guy really was," Dodson said.
Officers were searching for Ryan, but said he had gotten a ride away from the community. Still, they left messages with residents like Riley Hernandez, letting them know what was going on.
"He's left the scene on foot. He's considered armed and dangerous. Go inside, lock your doors, turn on all your lights and so that's what we did," Hernandez said. "Then our whole neighborhood started texting, 'Did you get the call? Did you get the call?'"
The car Ryan was driving did not hit the home, so while it was a close call there was no damage.
Officers caught up with Ryan at the Woodhollow Apartments on Hodges Boulevard.
In addition to armed robbery charges, Ryan is charged with fleeing police and reckless driving. He's being held on more than $250,000 bond.