Martin County - Tuesday April 3, 2022: A young man driving a stolen Mercedes SUV on Monday night led law enforcement officers on a high speed chase through 6 counties along Florida’s turnpike and parts of I-95 at speeds "exceeding 178" miles per hour.
The Chase began in Orange County, ran through Osceola, Indian River, Okeechobee, St. Lucie County, and ended in Martin County with the arrest of 20-year old Richard St. Leger of Pompano Beach.
"The danger to innocent lives related to this crime cannot be overstated," states a post on the Martin County Sheriff's Facebook page which provides a detailed account of the chase.
Florida Highway Patrol issued a BOLO advising law enforcement to 'Be On the Look Out' for a southbound vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. Martin County Sheriff’s Deputies, the K-9 Unit and helicopter patrol unit were all called out.
MCSO patrol cars attempted a traffic stop at the 101 mile marker on I-95, but "because of St. Leger’s dangerously excessive speeds" the ground pursuit was called off. However MCSO Pilot Deputy Clint Blankenship and Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Ed Stagmiller stayed with the fleeing SUV in MCSO AIR 1.
View the helicopter chase footage here: https://fb.watch/cPwIV8A6NN/
Deputies laid down 'stop sticks' at the 96 mile marker. St. Leger had slowed to 150 MPH and was traveling with his lights off. As the vehicle approached, deputies successfully deployed the 'stingers' which deflated the tires and brought the Mercedes to a stop near Kanner Highway.
"St. Leger refused to give up," states the MCSO Facebook post. "Instead, he got out of the vehicle and fled on foot into the wooded area." Deputies followed along with K-9 Zorro.
St. Leger "ignored multiple commands to surrender" so K-9 Zorro was let loose into the woods and forced St. Leger to give up. "After leading law enforcement on a pursuit that spanned hundreds of miles, St. Leger was finally captured ... ending this dangerous criminal joyride."
St. Leger now faces multiple charges including grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing with a disregard for safety, and obstruction. The passenger in the vehicle, 28-year old DeVonte Martin of Boynton Beach was also arrested.