Florida Deputy Hops Into an Uber During Foot Chase to Catch Fleeing Suspect
Not sure there was really a need to include the word “Florida” in this headline. Where else would a Sheriff’s Deputy hop into an Uber van in the middle of a foot chase to catch a fleeing suspect?
In this arrest, a Pinellas County Deputy is seen on bodycam video approaching a vehicle that had been pulled over to speak with the driver. The driver admits that he doesn’t have his license on him.
The Deputy then asks the passenger for his identification because he wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Further along in the discussion with the occupants of the vehicle, the officer asks them when the last time was that they smoked in the car.
When backup arrives, the Deputy tells the other officer that the driver’s license is suspended and is suspicious that the passenger has been doing all the talking.
Fast forward a little bit more, and one of the occupants admits there is marijuana inside the car. That’s when things started to get tense.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a rideshare van driver, the Deputies got their man
After exiting the car, the suspects began acting suspiciously about a backpack they had in their possession. First, they ignored the officer’s orders to leave it alone, and then it was tossed to someone.
At that point, the man with the backpack took off on foot. The suspect was able to get a pretty good lead on the Deputy. Then a Toyota Sienna van pulls up with its side door open.
“Get in!” the rideshare van driver yells, and the officer complies. Bonus: the van is equipped with Mario Kart available to play in the back seat. Shortly thereafter, they caught up to the suspect and arrested him.
“What started as a traffic stop turned intense foot chase… got a serious power-up when the most legendary rideshare driver in history rolled up and told the deputy ‘let’s-a-go’!” the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook. “Complete with Mario Kart in the backseat because apparently this driver stays ready for ANY kind of race. Mamma mia, what a save! Thanks again for the lift!”
Only in Florida.
Source: Carscoops
