A Florida man “bailed” from his vehicle and swam across a canal to escape deputies who tried to make a traffic stop, investigators say.
“Aurelio Reyes, 30, of 3411 Timberwood Circle, wasn’t able to avoid the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for long,” said Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
“This was all very unnecessary,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “Instead of pulling over for deputies, this individual chose to step on the gas and flee, putting the lives of other motorists and deputies at risk. Thanks to great teamwork by our deputies, he will now be held accountable for his reckless and dangerous actions.”
Deputies clocked Reyes driving 77 mph in a 45 mph zone around 2:15 am on Wednesday morning in a Honda pickup. Deputies attempted to pull him over, but Reyes ignored their lights and sirens and continued to speed.
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Deputies say the pickup came to a stop, and Reyes ran from the vehicle, heading east on Radio Road. Deputies, assisted by K-9 and Aviation units, attempted to locate Reyes.
After an extensive search, the flight crew spotted Reyes swimming in a canal off Foxfire Lane.
Deputies met him at the water’s edge and placed him under arrest for fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest.
Reyes also faces charges of possession of cocaine and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. While taking inventory of the pickup so it could be towed, deputies found cocaine and narcotic paraphernalia, along with several open beer cans, in the front seat.
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