Inset: Grant Hagood-James. Background: Hagood-James after he was arrested for allegedly carjacking a man in Dayton Beach Shores, Florida (Volusia County Sheriff”s Office).
A Florida man who was trying to help someone he thought needed help ended up being carjacked at gunpoint, authorities in the Sunshine State say.
The incident began shortly before 9 p.m. Monday. The victim said he was driving in the area of South Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores after leaving his jujitsu class when he saw a man — later identified as 34-year-old Grant Hagood-James — waving him down at the intersection with Marcelle Avenue, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
He pulled over to check on the man. As the victim rolled down his window, Hagood-James asked for a ride, a probable cause arrest affidavit said. He felt as though the suspect looked “sketchy” so he said no. That’s when Hagood-James allegedly ran around to the driver’s side door.
“No I need a ride,” the suspect allegedly said. “I need this.”
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Cops say the Hagood-James pulled out a gun and ordered the victim out of the car before hopping into the driver’s seat and speeding off. Without his wallet or phone, the victim waved down another motorist who allowed him to use a phone to call 911.
Roughly 20 minutes later, employees at a nearby restaurant called to report that a man just swam up to the deck from a river. It allegedly turned out to be Hagood-James. The man jumped back into the river and into some mangroves, cops say. Deputies eventually tracked him down and took him into custody.
Now, Hagood-James is facing a charge of armed carjacking and remains in the Volusia County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 14.
The victim spoke with local NBC affiliate WESH. He said he will think twice before stopping to help someone on the side of the road.
“It depends, because thankfully the next person stopped for me when I needed help. But I’ll definitely be a little more cautious next time,” he told the TV station.
Cops say they later recovered the victim’s car and the gun used in the alleged carjacking.
