Police chase ends with crash, shooting in Miami Gardens

Police: Varnelson Ceus, 23, attempted to run over Hollywood officer

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. ā€“ A man was arrested Thursday after a chase through the streets of Miami Gardens ended in a police-involved shooting, police said.

Authorities were dispatched at 8:48 a.m. Thursday to the intersection of Northwest 3rd Court and Northwest 199th Street to help a Hollywood police officer.

Investigators said the Hollywood police officer had been involved in a shooting and a man identified as 23-year-old Varnelson Ceus fled the area. It was revealed the officer saw Ceus' vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, police said.

At the time, the man failed to yield and sped away, attempting to flee from the officer. Miami Gardens police said Ceus' vehicle then crashed into a stopped SUV at the intersection of Northwest 199th Street and Northwest 3rd Court.

According to the husband of Delores Parks, the 54-year-old woman who was driving the SUV, Ceus' car came around the corner very fast before slamming into her vehicle.

"She said he made the corner so wide that he crashed into her," said Gerald Bowe. "So he tried to back out and that's when the police officer jumped out of his car and started shooting."

The officer got out of his vehicle and gave loud commands, ordering Ceus out of the vehicle. Police said Ceus, refusing to surrender to law enforcement, placed his vehicle in reverse and attempted to run over the officer.

In fear for his life, the officer discharged his weapon at Ceus, according to Miami Gardens police. Ceus, still in his vehicle, fled the scene driving southbound on Northwest 3rd Court out of the area. Ceus did not suffer any injuries, police said.

Ceus was then found and detained by Miami Gardens police officers. Police said Ceus has been charged with hit-and-run with injuries and aggravated assault with a vehicle on a law enforcement officer.

Miami Dade Fire Rescue arrived at the scene and took Parks to a hospital for chest pains.

Ceus appeared in bond court Friday and was placed on house arrest.


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Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.