Michael Pettit arrested by Volusia deputies followed by standoff after a short pursuit
By: The Volusia County Sheriff's office says 44-year-old Michael Anthony Pettit is in custody after a standoff with deputies and police.
It began around 8:15 p.m. when Bunnell police say a Pettit drove away from a traffic stop.
Deputies found him heading South on U.S. 1 and unsuccessfully attempted another traffic stop.
That's when the Ormond Beach and Holly Hill police departments joined the chase.
They eventually forced Pettit to pull into a 7-Eleven at 1601 N. Ridgewood Ave., where he refused to get out of his car.
During the standoff, bystanders were taken to the back of the store for safety.
Officials say he did not respond to commands by deputies and was seen reaching for something in his car.
Deputes, alongside Ormond Beach police, breached his rear window and deployed pepper balls into his car, forcing Pettit out.
He was then taken into custody.
Nobody was seriously hurt.
Pettit now faces several charges, including fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and resisting an officer without violence.
He is being charged by both the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and Bunnell Police.
Pettit also has a criminal record, including fleeing, escaping, resisting arrest with violence and possession of an edged weapon during past encounters with law enforcement.