MIRAMAR, Fla. – A suspect accused of stealing a police cruiser and crashing it into a gated community went before a judge on Saturday.
According to police, 40-year-old Marques Johnson resisted arrest when officers responded to the 12000 block of Southwest 26th Street in Miramar at approximately 1:48 a.m. on Friday.
Police said Johnson was banging on the door of the home of someone who called 911, and when officers arrived, they said he rushed at them in an aggressive manner while making verbal threats.
Johnson’s lawyer said his client is a disabled army veteran with three kids who was dealing with a mental health issue.
Officers used a taser on Johnson, but they said he continued to resist and eventually broke free and jumped into the driver seat of a marked Miramar police vehicle.
Police said Johnson took off in the police car, eventually crashing into a gate and causing the vehicle to become disabled.
He was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital to be evaluated before he was eventually arrested.
The judge set a $5,000 bond for Johnson.