2 ROBBERY SUSPECTS NABBED AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE

Published 1:56 pm Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Two suspects in a Tuesday morning robbery at a Live Oak Radio Shack were arrested in Columbia County following a high-speed chase on I-75. Arrested were Diamond T. Burch, 23, whose last known address was listed by police as 508 West Avenue, Live Oak, and Telly Savales Sealey, 35, of 4036 Lennox Blvd., Orlando. Two other suspects remain at large.

The four suspects entered the store Tuesday morning and attempted what police described as a diversionary theft. Two of the suspects were stealing cell phones while the other two kept the clerk busy in a different area of the store, according to a press release from Det. Sgt. Ron Shaw of LOPD.

When the clerk confronted the suspects, two of them grabbed three cell phones and fled the store followed by the other two, Shaw said.

As the clerk tried to get the tag number of the getaway car, one of the suspects exited the vehicle and punched him, then took his pen, Shaw said. The clerk was able to get the tag number and authorities were alerted.

Meanwhile, Chaplain Brad Bailey of the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office saw the suspects’ vehicle traveling east on East Duval Street. Bailey, who was in his personal vehicle, followed the suspects’ car while advising police by telephone of his location.

Officers from LOPD, SCSO and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle as it was headed southbound on I-75.

Burch and Sealey, both of whom had active warrants, according to Shaw, were booked into the Columbia County Jail and later transferred to Suwannee County on one count each of robbery.

An arrest warrant for robbery has been issued for Verna Carver Burch Jr., 31, Suwannee Street, White Springs. In addition, police are still seeking the identity of a fourth suspect, a white female described as heavy set or possibly pregnant, with dark hair.