FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department issued a statement concerning the arrest of a suspect who was wanted on a BOLO from the Limestone County sheriff’s Office:
“On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at approximately 8:57 P.M., Florence Patrol Officers observed a black Kawasaki motorcycle traveling west on Florence Boulevard. The motorcycle did not have a license plate, and it matched the description of a motorcycle stolen from Athens earlier in the day. When officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled west on Florence Boulevard. Speeds in the pursuit exceeded 100 MPH. The driver failed to negotiate the curve where Florence Boulevard becomes Tennessee Street. The vehicle left the roadway striking a stone wall. The driver, Joel Gooch, 35, of Athens, was ejected off the bike. Officers provided medical aid until Shoals EMS and Florence Fire arrived on the scene. Gooch was transported to Huntsville Hospital by air ambulance with multiple injuries from the crash.
Gooch had multiple felony and misdemeanor warrants at the time of the crash. We are still investigating this incident, and additional charges are pending.
**All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.***”
BOLO From Limestone County sheriff’s Office
“August 17, 2021 – At approximately 8:49 a.m. this morning, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Vulcan Plastics in Athens, that a work release inmate left their property around 8:29 a.m. on a black Kawasaki motorcycle belonging to another employee.
Limestone County Sheriff’s Office is looking for inmate, Joel Dwight Gooch, a 35-year-old white male, that is serving a sentence for child support. Gooch is 5’7” and weighs approximately 135 pounds. Gooch has black hair and browns eyes.”
If you have information about the location of Gooch, please contact the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office at (256) 232-0111.
