Crime & Safety
Assault Suspect Caught on Video Is Arrested
A production crew making a rap video happened to film the suspect as he was running away. Police used the video to identify him.
ST. PETERSBURG – The suspect in an aggravated assault who was caught on video by a rap film crew has been arrested.
St. Petersburg Police arrested Lucas Jeffrey James, 23, of Seminole in connection with the aggravated assault of a 26-year-old woman on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.
At 3 p.m. Wednesday, James was taken into custody at his home. He is accused of striking the victim in the head with a beer bottle.
The release of a video that showed James fleeing the area was key to the suspect being identified, police said in a written statement Wednesday.
A film crew making a rap video happened to catch James on camera as he was running from the crime scene June 12. The video provided a clear image of James, who stopped momentarily to peer at the camera before sprinting away.
The film crew turned the video over to police.
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