When you’re already someone with prior crimes to your name, it’s best to fit in instead of standing out from the crowd. A police officer spotted a familiar SUV that he had been involved with before.
The Boynton Beach officer spotted the Ford Explorer heading northbound on N. Seacrest Boulevard on October 17, 2022, just before 1 a.m. “I illuminated my spotlight towards the driver and observed James Prince,” the arrest report said.
“I had prior knowledge that James’ driver’s license is suspended and he is listed as a habitual traffic offender. I also was able to ID Prince as he has fled from me in the same vehicle on September 13, 2022, with charges filed to the SAO [State Attorney’s Office]. I also conducted a traffic stop where Prince fled from the same Explorer on foot and was arrested on May 3, 2022.”
The officer activated his lights and sirens to conduct a typical traffic stop but as he did so, the vehicle increased its speed. A front-seat passenger then stuck her hands out the window to get the officer’s attention. She also waved her phone toward the authorities with three numbers on the screen that appeared to be 911.
Prince began throwing miscellaneous baggies containing white powder and white rock substance that was landing on the deputy’s windshield of his marked patrol vehicle. Prince continued to refuse to stop for marked patrol vehicles with activated lights and sirens, as he made no attempts to stop for the police officer.
The pursuit was eventually terminated after the vehicle failed to stop for Boynton Beach patrol vehicles for 28 miles.
The next day, the officers went to the 45-year-old victim’s home in Boynton Beach and got her story as to why she was in the SUV and what was going on inside. Prince had allegedly picked her up from the residence to do laundry at his residence.
“[The victim] advised she did contact 911 as she was in fear for her life and was being held against her will. [The victim] also stated Prince was making comments that he was not going to stop unless they crashed, and they both died. [The victim] also advised she was never able to exit the vehicle, as the vehicle was going too fast and Prince not allowing her to leave the vehicle.”
The victim was able to escape from the vehicle after Prince had to slow down because of a flat tire he sustained. She broke her left ankle during the incident and was able to flag down Martin County deputies that were nearby.
“Prince was then located by Martin County Sheriff’s Office and arrested for DWLS [driving while license suspended].” The officer added, computer records confirmed Prince’s driver’s license was suspended and he was listed as a habitual traffic offender for five years, starting in March 2019.
Officers searched Prince where they discovered “two off-white rock substances in Prince’s right front pocket [which] tested positive for cocaine.”
The 67-year-old was charged with possession of cocaine, resisting an officer without violence, kidnapping, being a habitual offender driving with a suspended license and failing to register his motor vehicle. He was released from jail in lieu of a $30,000 bond with a condition that he is no longer allowed to drive.