A 31-year-old man who got a ride from DeLand to a Winn Dixie in Deltona was arrested after he allegedly stabbed the driver, stole his vehicle, and ditched it in Daytona Beach before trying to hide in a wooded area.
Emmanuel Johnson is facing multiple charges including grand theft and aggravated battery in connection with a carjacking that he allegedly perpetrated on Tuesday, March 21.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, a victim drove a trio of men from DeLand to the Winn Dixie located at 2880 Howland Boulevard in Deltona. After the group arrived at the grocery store, the victim stated that he needed to leave.
According to the victim, Johnson was sitting behind him in the vehicle and became angry after he announced that he needed to leave.
The victim says that Johnson then threatened him and held a knife to his neck. The victim was able to fight off Johnson, but was cut on his right forearm in the process. He fled into the grocery store and told an employee that he had been stabbed and that his car had been stolen.
The victim says that as he ran into the store, he saw Johnson jump into the driver’s seat and drive away in his silver Hyundai Elantra.
Deputies arrived to the Winn-Dixie at around 8:34 p.m. after the carjacking was reported. As they were investigating the carjacking, Daytona Beach Police relayed that they had located the vehicle, abandoned, in an apartment complex in Daytona Beach.
Johnson was located a short time after in woods that were close to the apartment complex. The victim identified Johnson as his attacker and he was arrested and transported to the Volusia County Jail.
Johnson is currently being held on $10,500 bond and is facing charges of fleeing/alluding police, driving with a suspended or canceled license, resisting arrest, carjacking, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.