Watch: Suspect Fails to Escape Florida Police Officers During Traffic Stop
What to Know
- Jonathan Rivas was stopped for a traffic violation and found with drug paraphernalia before attempting to flee.
- He led police on a high-speed chase, crashing into multiple vehicles during the escape.
- Rivas was physically restrained after a struggle with officers, who used distractionary strikes to subdue him.
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Florida -- Body-worn camera video released by Miami-Dade County prosecutors shows a 22-year-old man’s failed attempt to flee North Miami Beach police officers following a traffic stop in September.
Prosecutors said the incident began Sept. 17 when officers stopped Jonathan Rivas after he was observed driving a white Honda northbound on Northeast 19 Avenue near 170 Street, according to WPLG-TV.
According to a police arrest report, an officer noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and reported seeing two glass pipes and two empty baggies inside the car.
The arrest report states Rivas became agitated during the stop and pushed an officer before getting back into the vehicle and driving away. Officers reported that Rivas fled at a high rate of speed, weaving through traffic before crashing into several vehicles near Northeast 18 Road and 185 Street.
Police said Rivas exited the vehicle and ran from the crash scene before an officer caught up with him near 1812 Miami Gardens Drive. According to the arrest report, an officer pushed Rivas to the ground and delivered “several distractionary strikes to the ribs and face” before taking him into custody.
After his arrest, officers transported Rivas to the North Miami Beach Police Department, then to Jackson Memorial Hospital, before booking him into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to police.
Court records show Rivas was charged with attempting to elude police after an accident with injuries or damage, reckless driving with serious bodily injury, fleeing and eluding a police officer, battery on a police officer, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use.