Gulf Coast News spoke with a witness who captured the moment a high-speed chase erupted in Immokalee — just minutes after deputies say a man robbed a Little Caesars at gunpoint.
The chaos began Tuesday night at the Little Caesars on North 15th Street. According to deputies, 37-year-old Christopher Townsend stormed in wearing all black, a ski mask, and gloves. He allegedly pointed a gun at the cashier, demanded money, and then took off.
Minutes later, deputies tracked down a white Mini Cooper half a mile away near Lake Trafford Road. Witness Antonio Garcia was nearby and started recording just as the chase kicked off.
"He was stopped at the Bank of America, and the cops started walking up to the car, and as soon as they did, he started, he started leaving," Garcia said. "I heard him scream out the door or scream out the window like, 'Y'all got me messed up.'"
Deputies say Townsend briefly switched seats with a female passenger before continuing the chase. When officers finally stopped the Mini Cooper, they made a shocking discovery — a child was in the backseat the entire time.
"Definitely red flags. I mean, that's a that's a child. You put it in danger," Garcia said. "It's definitely awakening. You know what I mean? Crazy stuff happens all around us."
CCSO says Townsend is also a suspect in at least five other armed robberies in Collier County, and investigators say more charges are on the way.