After a two-day trial, a St. Johns County jury found defendant Robert Lahori guilty in a case involving a high-speed car chase on I-95.
The Florida defendant was convicted as charged of two counts of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude with High Speed or Reckless Driving, Resisting an Officer with Violence, two counts of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting an Officer without Violence and Reckless Driving.
On March 25, 2023, a woman was shopping at a grocery store in St. Augustine when she was distracted by a person and her wallet was stolen. The victim monitored the transactions on her card and learned it was being used at the St. Augustine Outlet Mall.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene and located a group of four suspects. Deputies attempted to stop them, but Lahori attempted to strike a deputy with the vehicle he was driving. A pursuit was initiated and a PIT maneuver was performed on I-95 after the suspect vehicle attempted to strike a patrol vehicle. Lahori then got out of the vehicle and ran into the woods where deputies chased him on foot. In the process of trying to get him in handcuffs, the defendant committed battery on two different deputies. Eventually, Lahori and his three co-defendants were arrested.
During the investigation, detectives learned that all four defendants were involved in a large pickpocketing scheme. A search warrant was executed on the suspect vehicle and detectives discovered 277 gift cards totaling about $50,000, eight cell phones and a firearm loaded with ammunition.
The case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorneys Jennifer Lieb and Lisa Miles successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Lee Smith presided over the case and will pronounce sentence on February 23, 2024.
Lahori has two other cases pending in the Seventh Judicial Circuit relating to the organized crime ring.
