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Highlands Today

Carjack Suspect Extradited To Highlands

Trigg Hess Deweese, 28

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: August 20, 2008

AVON PARK - A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail without bond Monday after Avon Park police said he carjacked a pickup on Aug. 3, belonging to a Miami man.

Trigg Hess Deweese, 28, of 4249 Shad Drive, was extradited over the weekend from Jacksonville, where he was captured by deputies with the Madison County Sheriff's Office. He was still using the truck, authorities added.

He has been charged with armed carjacking of the 1997 Dodge pickup.

According to Avon Park police, the pickup's owner allegedly picked up Deweese as a hitchhiker at about 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Race Trac gas station.

The gas station is located at 1625 U.S. 27 S., in Avon Park.

The Miami-Dade County resident reportedly stopped at the gas station to fuel his truck. Deweese reportedly approached the victim, who agreed to give him a ride.

While heading north, police say Deweese told the victim to turn east on West Bell Street, saying he lived in that area.

Deweese got as far as South Florida Avenue and West Bell Street, where he pulled out a sharpened stick, pressed it against the victim's abdomen and ordered the victim to get out of the truck, or he would stab him, according to police.

The victim stopped the truck and got out. While exiting the pickup, the victim armed himself with a machete in an attempt to defend himself. Deweese allegedly jumped out of the pickup and ran, taking the truck's keys with him, according to police.

Police Sgt. Marc Wilbur was patrolling the area and reportedly saw a disturbance. He contacted the victim, who was highly agitated.

After some convincing, the victim surrendered the machete to Wilbur, who still hadn't sorted out what had happened, police reported.

Once the weapon was surrendered the victim explained to Wilbur that he had been carjacked and described the direction the man left in.

While police tried to find the suspect, police say Deweese doubled back, returned to the pickup truck with the keys and drove away, police reported. The truck was listed as stolen in the national crime database.

The victim told police the truck contained two cordless drills, a lawn mower, one pneumatic tool, a gas compressor, a battery charger, a GPS system, a pair of headphones, and assorted items of clothing, all valued at $2,630.

Deweese was arrested by the Madison County Sheriff's Office and charged there with grand theft auto. Deweese reportedly was on probation until 2013 for a 2003 home invasion.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com.

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