OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — A man was arrested after stealing a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser and attempting to run over three troopers.
The incident happened Thursday just before 4 p.m. along the Florida Turnpike in Okeechobee County.
According to a news release, FHP received a call Wednesday about a male pedestrian walking in the area but were unable to locate anyone.
On Thursday, a trooper located a pedestrian on the northbound shoulder of the Florida Turnpike who appeared to be medically distressed. The trooper called dispatch for paramedics to respond to the scene for a medical evaluation.
The release says 22-year-old Shane Jensen of Largo was sitting in the grass next to the trooper's 2013 FHP Dodge Charger and was incoherent when the trooper began talking to him. The trooper walked back to the road ranger to get water for Jensen, who appeared dehydrated. Jensen entered the vehicle and drove northbound on the Florida Turnpike.
During a traffic stop, three troopers exited their vehicles to apprehend the suspect when they say he reversed the vehicle in an attempt to run them over, fleeing the traffic stop.
As the stolen vehicle entered Osceola County, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office assisted FHP by deploying stop sticks in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike at mile marker 192.
The release states that the suspect avoided the stop sticks and entered a grass median, coming to a stop. He exited the vehicle and fled into the woods.
Jensen was arrested by FHP and transported to a local hospital for treatment. He has been charged with stealing a patrol car and reckless driving. Additional charges are pending.
No crashes or injuries were reported.
