Southern California has seen more than its share of wild police chases - but, there's at least one Florida man who might have one-upped his West Coast brethren after he led Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers on a high speed chase while on a jet ski off South Florida Monday night.
Eric Tukes was stopped by FWC officers Monday night at around 8 p.m. while he was on a personal watercraft for a manatee zone infraction. Tukes suddenly took off from the marine patrol unit and led officers on a chase that stretched from Broward to Miami-Dade County.
According to Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper, the chase ended up behind her home.
"We saw a police marine vehicle come down our canal and then there were helicopters,” Cooper told Local 10.
Tukes eventually left the watercraft behind and fled on foot, which is when officers with the Hallandale Beach Police Department were able to apprehend him.
“He ditched his jet ski and our police department was coming around on Lane Boulevard and they saw this gentleman walking so they captured him,” said Mayor Cooper.
During the course of the investigation, officials learned that Tukes was actually wanted by the U.S. Marshals, who have now charged him with a federal probation violation.
Tukes will also face charges of resisting arrest, fleeing and eluding. FWC says additional charges may be filed in the future.