PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A routine aerial patrol over Tampa turned into a high-speed manhunt late Saturday night after Florida Highway Patrol pilots spotted a group of motorcyclists racing through city streets. The incident, which began around 10:40 PM on February 7, eventually stretched across county lines and saw speeds reach double the legal limit on the interstate.
The FHP Aviation unit first noticed several bikes driving recklessly along Westshore Boulevard. Rather than engaging on the ground immediately, the aircraft tracked the group from above as they sped across the Gandy Bridge toward Pinellas County.
Once the riders crossed the span, a trooper on the ground attempted to pull over one of the motorcycles.
The rider, identified by authorities as 19-year-old Michael Alexander Fiallo of Wesley Chapel, did not stop. Instead, he accelerated away from the patrol car, weaving through traffic toward 4th Street before merging onto southbound I-275.
According to investigators, the pursuit reached estimated speeds of 150 MPH as the motorcycle fled through the St. Petersburg area.
The chase ended when Fiallo exited the highway at Carillon Parkway. Police say he abandoned his bike and attempted to hide on foot, but he was quickly located and apprehended inside a nearby parking garage.
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A photo from troopers shows that, at the time of his arrest, Fiallo was wearing a sweatshirt with the phrase “Don’t Get Caught” printed on the back.
Fiallo was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail. He now faces multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement.
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