NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — William Gonzalez, 33, faces numerous charges after he allegedly carjacked a man with a flare gun Sunday before leading deputies on a chaotic chase. According to arrest reports, this was among the last of a series of crimes Gonzalez committed throughout the day. 

• Deputies: Gonzalez also stole numerous items, including a kayak
• Gonzalez struck 3 cars, mailbox while fleeing from pursuers
• More Pasco County stories

“The big takeaway, I would say, from this is the neighborhood is only as strong as its occupants," said Rodney Dockstader, the owner of the flare gun used in the carjacking. "If you don’t stick together – see something, say something – this is just going to keep happening.” 

Dockstader said he realized something was wrong Sunday afternoon when his wife told him his boat had been lowered to water level.

“Every single hatch was open, every single, you know -- the cuddy cabin was open. At first, I didn’t see anything gone,” said Dockstader.

Dockstader said he thinks Gonzalez was looking for the keys. Instead, he made off with an air horn, first aid kit, and flare gun still in its packaging.

Multiple thefts, including kayak, bicycle

Gonzalez then reportedly made his way next door to Roger Freeman’s Fjord Way home and took one of his kayaks.

Freeman was out of town and heard about the theft from Dockstader.

“[Dockstader] called me back and said, ‘How many kayaks do you have?’ I said, ‘Two.’ He said, ‘No, I think you just got one now,’” said Freeman.

“I got thinking about it, I said, ‘You know, if this guy’s that brazen that at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Sunday with my vehicle parked here and with them home, I’ve got concerns that this guy’s going to come back at night,” Freeman added.

An affidavit states that multiple witnesses saw Gonzalez paddling away in the kayak. It was later found on the same street as another burglary Gonzalez allegedly committed.

While the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office redacts victim addresses on arrest reports due to Marsy’s Law, another report states Gonzalez was captured on surveillance footage stealing a $500 bicycle from a resident’s garage in the city.

Carjacking using the flare gun

According to neighbors on Topsail Trail, Gonzalez next made his way there. Sheriff’s office documents state Gonzalez was riding a bike when he approached a Mercedes backing out of a driveway.

He allegedly threatened two people inside the vehicle with the flare gun and told them to get out of the car. He reportedly shot a flare at the ground as one of the people tried to exit.

A physical fight then ensued, and when it seemed like Gonzalez was subdued, the two got back inside the vehicle and again tried to leave. The report said Gonzalez shot a flare through the driver’s window, hitting him in his left ear.

“There was some rubbish laying out in the road. It looked like maybe the reflector on the bicycle or parts of a bike or maybe even part of the flare,” said Topsail Trail resident Alan Regan about the carjacking’s aftermath. He wasn’t home at the time it happened, but said there was a large sheriff’s office presence when he returned.

“Oh, crazy. Never happens,” Regan said of his usually quiet neighborhood.

Crime spree ends

Gonzalez then allegedly stole the car, leading deputies on a chase that ended on Trouble Creek Rd. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, he hit three other cars and a mailbox before the Mercedes was disabled.

He then tried to run from deputies before he was apprehended.

“It’s abhorrent,” said Dockstader about knowing it was his flare gun used in the attack. “That’s the sad part. I learned a lesson, myself, too. I need to make sure that things like that aren’t left on the boat because nothing is safe here in New Port Richey.”

Freeman, who said he worked in law enforcement for several years, said he was grateful he was out of town when his property was taken.

“I’m thankful that I wasn’t here in the sense that I didn’t have to shoot anybody, nobody shot at me, and nobody shot my dog. It worked out in the end, but I feel terrible for the guy that did get shot. I’m glad he’s okay,” Freeman said.

The sheriff’s office described that man’s injuries as non-life threatening. FHP’s report said a female driver of one of the cars involved in the Trouble Creek Road crash was also hospitalized due to injuries that she said caused pain on the left side of her body.

Gonzalez faces multiple charges, including robbery carjacking with a firearm or deadly weapon, fleeing to elude, and knowingly driving with a suspended license.

William Gonzalez (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff's Office)