A notorious Bahamian escapee, Tomal Bowe, has been apprehended by Florida law enforcement following an intensive multi-agency operation that culminated in a dramatic high-speed pursuit. The 33-year-old suspect, wanted for serious criminal charges in The Bahamas, was taken into custody by St Johns County Sheriff’s deputies after evading capture for several hours.
The incident began when deputies attempted to initiate a routine traffic stop, prompting Bowe to allegedly accelerate away and trigger an extensive chase. Law enforcement officials employed specialized tactical maneuvers, including a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT), to disable the suspect’s initial vehicle. Demonstrating continued resistance, Bowe then allegedly abandoned the disabled car, commandeered a van from a nearby commercial complex, and recklessly drove into opposing traffic on the I-95 highway.
After abandoning the second vehicle, the fugitive attempted to disappear into a densely wooded marshland area. The search operation escalated with the deployment of aerial surveillance units and specialized K-9 teams, leading to Bowe’s capture several hours later.
US authorities have confirmed that Bowe entered the country legally with a valid visa. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched an investigation to determine whether his Bahamian criminal history was properly disclosed during the visa application process. Current charges against Bowe include felony fleeing and eluding, grand theft auto, resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and multiple out-of-county warrants.
Bahamian police officials indicate that Bowe has an outstanding armed robbery case pending in The Bahamas and will face local justice upon completion of US judicial proceedings. The fugitive had previously gained notoriety in 2020 when he executed a rare escape from the Carmichael Road Police Station during questioning for armed robbery allegations—marking the first recorded escape from that facility.
International coordination between US and Bahamian authorities is ongoing to determine the timeline for Bowe’s eventual transfer to Bahamian custody.