A Leesburg man was arrested after a wild pursuit which included a helicopter and K-9 unit ended at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Lady Lake.
A deputy tried to stop 27-year-old Devante Shakur Bradford for swerving across all lanes on County Road 44 in a white Ford around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle turned onto Wedgefield Drive and made a U-turn, so the deputy positioned himself in front of it. Bradford then swerved into the front yard of a residence and sped past the patrol vehicle. The deputy saw at least two occupants at this time, including Bradford, as the vehicle got back onto County Road 44 and fled westbound, the report said.
Another deputy was able to get eyes on the vehicle, although it was not going fast. At that point, it crossed a double yellow line to pass several other vehicles. Multiple deputies converged on the area and were able to keep the vehicle in their sight as it drove through multiple steady red lights on U.S. Hwy. 441, the report said.
An officer with the Lady Lake Police Department subsequently spotted the vehicle passing Hartsock Sawmill Road. He got behind it and followed all the way to the back parking lot of the Microtel, located at 850 S U.S. Hwy. 27. The vehicle circled the parking lot, and the officer turned on his emergency lights, the report said.
The vehicle hit a dead end, after which Bradford got out and fled on foot south in front of the hotel. Deputies established a perimeter, brought out a K-9 to track and flew a helicopter overhead to find him. He was later seen running back toward the car and immediately dropped to the ground when ordered, the report said.
Bradford was arrested on charges of two counts of flee and elude, resist arrest without violence, reckless driving and operating unregistered motor vehicle. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $5,500.
He was also arrested in Feb. 2022 with guns and children in his car.