Four people, including one juvenile, were arrested after leading police on a high speed chase that ended at the Orlando International Airport.
The incident took place just after midnight on Saturday, October 22. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at around 12:40 a.m., an FHP trooper attempted to stop a blue BMW for unlawful speed in the area of Southport Drive and Palmbay Drive.
The vehicle fled and almost struck another trooper who was in the area, standing outside of his vehicle. Authorities say that because the driver was identified, they did not initiate a pursuit for safety reasons.
About an hour later, at 1:41 a.m., a trooper observed the suspect vehicle involved in street racing activities at another location. The trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle fled.
Officers pursued the vehicle throughout the south Orlando area. The vehicle eventually led them to the Orlando International Airport.
During their pursuit, an FHP trooper crashed into a large tree that disabled his vehicle. That deputy was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Eventually, the occupants of the vehicle, including 19-year-old Bryce Akerman-Byers, fled the vehicle on foot and climbed a fence in an effort to hide in a secure area. They were apprehended on airport property a short time later.
In addition to Akerman-Byers, who was driving the car, two other adults and a juvenile were arrested: 21-year-old Dalton Lee Jones, 20-year-old Adrian Jacob Hobbs, and an unidentified 17-year-old male. All the suspects face multiple charges, including burglary and trespass. Akerman-Byers was also charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and participating in street racing.
The BMW was impounded by FHP and is subject to forfeiture proceedings as it was used in the commission of several felonies, according to authorities.