Fugitive Crashes into Amazon Truck, Nabbed by Taser

Robert Lee Smith III, 24, appeared in court Friday facing numerous charges, including aggravated fleeing, driving with a suspended license, and resisting an officer. The charges stem from a multi-county crime spree that occurred on Thursday. Authorities reported that Smith was involved in an altercation in Sanford, where he allegedly rammed his car into another vehicle and stole items before fleeing the scene.

Later that day, Orange County deputies spotted the vehicle Smith was reportedly driving. When deputies attempted to stop the car, Smith allegedly switched from the passenger seat to the driver's seat and attempted to evade law enforcement. During his escape attempt, Smith reportedly collided with an Amazon delivery truck and several parked vehicles.

He was eventually apprehended by an Orange County deputy using a taser near Orange Avenue and East Colonial. During his court appearance, Smith requested to be released on his own recognizance, but the judge denied this, citing Smith's extensive criminal history, which includes three prior prison sentences. The judge emphasized that Smith was a "danger to the community" and a "flight risk."

Smith was out on bond for a previous arrest in Orange County on charges of battery and making threats to kill against a pregnant woman. Although that case was dropped Friday due to a witness's non-cooperation, he had been released on bond prior to Thursday's incident. The judge ultimately set Smith's bond at $21,000 for the charges related to Thursday's events.