HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A New York man was arrested last week after Hollywood police officers stumbled upon an Instagram video of the suspect fleeing from authorities during the annual "Bikes Up, Guns Down" ride on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The video, posted by Wilfredo Garcia Jr., 27, shows Garcia driving an all terrain vehicle on State Road 7 and laughing at police cruisers that were following him with their lights and sirens on.
"Shut up, shut up," Garcia said in the video.
According to an arrest affidavit, Garcia was driving about 50 mph in a 35 mph zone when officers spotted him with a large group of riders.
File: Wilfredo Garcia Jr. Arrest Affidavit
Authorities said he made an illegal U-turn through construction barriers in the 300 block of SR-7 and drove into oncoming southbound traffic.
Drivers were forced to brake to avoid a collision, the affidavit said.
Detectives identified Garcia in a photo lineup. Detectives were also able to identify him, because they said he posted a photo of a dirt bike on Instagram, showing the license plate.
Hollywood police contacted the New York Police Department, whose officers arrested Garcia Jan. 25 at his home in New York.
Garcia faces charges of reckless driving and fleeing and eluding police.
During a news conference Thursday, Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez said the arrest should serve as a warning to other riders not to come to South Florida to cause trouble on our roads.
"Don't come down here to behave in a lawless, criminal manner or we will pursue you," Sanchez said.
Sanchez said Garcia was known by police in New York because he had numerous traffic citations and was known for driving recklessly in their state, as well.
"When we spoke to the neighborhood officers in New York, where he lives, they told us he does these antics up there, also," Sanchez said. "Mr. Garcia's past includes a gun violation and over 35 other traffic moving violations. So he's no stranger to law enforcement."
Sanchez said authorities are working to identify other riders from the "Bikes Up, Guns Down" ride.
Garcia is being held at Rikers Island and is awaiting extradition to Broward County.
"Hollywood police want to thank the NYPD for their interagency cooperation with this apprehension," Hollywood police spokeswoman Miranda Grossman said in a news release. "We want to ensure that the illegal and reckless activities, like the ATV ride on Jan. 16, 2017, are not commonplace, and that our roadways remain safe for everyone."