Man killed by Palm Beach deputy after chase tied to pizza truck robbery, sheriff says
A 54-year-old man was killed by a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy Tuesday morning after a pursuit with PBSO and Florida Highway Patrol tied to a Lake Worth pizza delivery truck robbery ended in a crash in Boynton Beach, according to the county's Sheriff.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw held a press conference Tuesday explaining that the robbery of a black Chevrolet pickup truck happened at around 10 p.m. Monday. The delivery driver provided investigators with a description of the truck and its license plate number, enabling detectives to locate the vehicle.
A license plate camera hit placed the black pickup truck in Lake Park, in the northern portion of Palm Beach County, at around 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to Sheriff Bradshaw. Deputies located the truck and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled, prompting a chase with FHP troopers.
The chase ended when the driver crashed into a fence in Boynton Beach, blowing multiple tires. After the crash, the man ran with an object wrapped around his right hand that officers watching from a helicopter believed was a gun, Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw noted that deputies at first deployed two types of less lethal weapons, striking the man three times without stopping him. The man then raised his hands into what deputies thought was a shooting position, kneeling behind a concrete light pole.
A deputy fired his weapon, striking the man, who later died. It was later confirmed that the man did not have a firearm, according to Bradshaw.
Bradshaw also said that the man, whom the Sheriff described as a convicted felon, repeatedly yelled that officers would have to kill him.
The sheriff said that the man had a criminal history that included carjacking, robbery, kidnapping, assault, and cocaine sales. He was not wanted on an outstanding warrant, but they were looking for him in connection with the robbery.
Bradshaw said that the robbery began when the suspect allegedly asked the pizza delivery driver for change for a $100 bill before grabbing the cash and struggling with the driver.
The sheriff credited license plate reader cameras with helping investigators locate the truck and defended their use amid statewide privacy concerns and other counties removing them from roads.
Authorities are asking drivers to avoid the area of Jog Road between Woolbright Road and Grand Isles Drive, as they closed the roads while they investigate.
According to WPEC, CBS News Miami's Palm Beach affiliate, PBSO declined rumors circulating online that the incident was connected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).