Most Wanted Fugitive Captured

07/25/2013

According to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver, a 4-hour standoff with a wanted suspect ended successfully without incident or injury at approximately 8pm on Wednesday evening.  The standoff began at approximately 4pm when officers with the US Marshall's Gulf Coast Regional Task Force, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and Leesburg Police surrounded a Leesburg motel where the armed fugitive was barricaded inside a guest room.  Negotiators with the Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation utilized recently acquired electronic phone equipment to establish communications with the suspect and eventually convince him to surrender.  Sheriff Shaver stated the situation was very tense, and the suspect repeatedly threatened to harm himself.  Harley Ray Davidson, age 34, was taken into custody for existing warrants.  Sheriff Shaver also stated that the success of this situation was possible through the cooperation of a multi-agency effort.  Davidson is incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on burglary and theft charges.  This investigation is continuing, and additional charges may be forthcoming from other agencies.