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A 19-year-old motorcyclist from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, was arrested after leading law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase through multiple cities in Central Florida, causing a trail of chaos and endangering the public in the process.
According to an arrest affidavit, Ashtin Jarvis evaded attempted traffic stops and taunted officers as he recklessly weaved in and out of traffic at speeds reaching a staggering 145 mph on Interstate 4.
The pursuit, which began on the evening of March 12, involved a coordinated effort from police departments in Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Edgewater and South Daytona as well as the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite their efforts, Jarvis managed to evade capture until he was finally apprehended in Sanford when the relentless chase extended into Seminole County.
According to reports from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Jarvis’s motorcycle bore an invalid license plate that read “WILL RUN,” which was the reason why police initially attempted to stop the mullet-wearing teen.
Aerial footage from the sheriff’s office helicopter captured the dramatic moments as Jarvis darted through traffic, blatantly disregarding traffic signals and weaving dangerously among vehicles.
At one point, he even circled a patrol car, taunting officers with questions such as, “What happens if I stop?”
However, this behavior gave deputies the perfect opportunity to close in on him, with one officer pointing a Taser at the teen and forcing him to jump off his bike.
Upon his eventual arrest, Jarvis provided a sober response to officers’ inquiries about his exhilarating escapade.
“Oh man, was that s—t fun?” a deputy asked.
“No, not really,” Jarvis responded.
Further investigation revealed that the faux license plate affixed to Jarvis’s motorcycle was a counterfeit that was purchased online.
When asked why he bought the license plate, Jarvis told police that he thought it was funny.
In a statement following the incident, law enforcement officials commended the collaborative effort of the involved agencies and emphasized their commitment to ensuring public safety.
“Participating law enforcement agencies did not engage in any pursuits, instead calling in Air One (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter) to respond, follow and help protect the public from the reckless behavior on our roads,” the statement read.
Jarvis now faces a litany of charges, including fleeing at high speed, reckless driving, possession of a counterfeit license plate and other traffic violations.
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