BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Tuesday morning police chase started in Lauderdale Beach and ended with a crash on Interstate 95′s northbound lanes near Hillsboro Boulevard.
The driver of a white Jeep Wrangler was speeding away from Fort Lauderdale Police Department officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue personnel also responded.
The man had been camping at 2613 Center Ave., according to Michael Jones, a co-owner of the property, near the beachfront Loggerhead Park.
“The Jeep was parked on the property last night,” Jones said, adding the Jeep has a license plate from Pennsylvania.
Jones said the man had his clothes hanging on a tree when he asked him to leave the property.
“He said he was going to kill me if I questioned him,” Jones said. “He shoved me to the ground and I got up. I saw crazy in his eyes.”
Jones was calling 911 when the man jumped into the Jeep and crashed into the golf cart and slammed into Jones’ Porsche before speeding away.
About 25 minutes later, when Jones was talking to police officers the driver of the Jeep returned.
“A police pursuit ensued which ultimately ended with FHP performing a pit maneuver,” said Detective Ali Adamson, a spokeswoman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
The crash happened as detectives were investigating a double homicide near the beachfront Vista Park.
Officers arrested the driver of the Jeep who is facing charges of aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding police, Adamson said. Jones said the man was armed with two hunting knives and a revolver.