Bodycam shows a high-speed pursuit, swimming in a lake, hiding in a wooded area, and a drug bust
By: Video released on Monday by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office (IRCSO) shows how far a suspect would go to avoid arrest.
The eventful night involved two sheriff's offices, a vehicle pursuit, swimming, hiding in a wooded area, and a major drug bust.
The IRCSO said deputies spotted 35-year-old William Field III driving recklessly just before 11:30 p.m. on Friday. Believed to be under the influence and with an active arrest warrant for domestic violence out of Okeechobee County, deputies attempted a traffic stop.
The sheriff's office said deputies tried to pull Field over at a gas station, but he sped off.
Dash cam video released on Monday by the IRCSO shows the adrenaline-inducing encounter.
Deputies followed after Field. The IRSCO said he was reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour as deputies followed him in St. Lucie County.
Video shows the deputy using the patrol vehicle to push the truck off the road as they began to approach traffic. As SLCSO deputies surrounded the car, Field jumped out of the driver's seat and took off. Also in the truck was a woman who was unharmed but frightened from the encounter.
The video shifts to body cam footage, as deputies run after Field.
"Stop you idiot, K-9's gonna bite you," the deputy can be heard shouting at Field. However, Field continues to run.
Moments later, Field can be seen running toward a body of water.
"Show me your hands," the deputy says as he pulls out a taser. Instead of stopping, a splash can be heard, and the Taser is deployed as Field begins to swim away.
"Hey, you better f****** stop," the deputy shouts. "Are we going in the water or what?" the same deputy can be heard asking as Field swims further away.
Roughly 30 minutes later, the scene changes. Deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office used its K-9 unit to track Field, who was found in a densely wooded area early Saturday morning. After swimming, Field seemingly ditched his clothes, since he was apprehended wearing only shorts.
Following his arrest, deputies seized the truck and found the following drugs:
1790g of Marijuana
73g of Ketamine
6.94g of Heroin
2.16g of Clonazepam
49g of Fentanyl
0.5g of Methamphetamine
Along with his arrest warrant, Field was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail for displaying a firearm during a felony, kidnap/false imprisonment, trafficking fentanyl, fleeing/eluding law enforcement, marijuana possession, DUI, reckless driving, possession of drug equipment, possession of a controlled substance.