Volusia’s Sheriff Chitwood disarms a suicidal suspect

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood disarmed a suicidal man armed with a box cutter Thursday night, according to deputies.

The Sheriff ’s Office received a call about a wanted man, Julius McLauchlin, 29, who was in a truck on May Street in DeLand.

McLauchlin drove away when deputies approached and led them on a “low speed” chase throughout DeLand, they said, adding that he ran several stop lights and signs.

Chitwood was on the way back from the Volusia County Fair in DeLand when he received a call from the suspect’s mother.

The sheriff got on the phone with McLauchlin and convinced him to stop, deputies said.

They learned McLauchlin was armed with a box cutter and was cutting his wrists. He then held it to his throat and refused to come out of the truck.

After about two hours, he came out of the truck but still had the knife and was trying to stab himself, deputies said.

Chitwood grabbed the box cutter, but McLauchlin pulled away, they said.

Two deputies then moved in and deployed Tasers.

McLauchlin was taken into custody, then he was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center. He had severe cuts to his arms.

“Thanks to the dedication of all involved in this call, there was no loss of life, and no injuries to any law enforcement officers, first responders or members of the public,” spokesman Andrew Gant said in a statement.

McLauchlin faces fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest without violence, according to court records.

Records show he has been booked into jail seven times since 2011, mostly on burglary related charges.