A teenage 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 danger in the process.
According to an arrest affidavit, Ashtin Jarvis, 19, 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 Tuesday evening, March 12, involved a coordinated effort from various law enforcement agencies including the Port Orange police, New Smyrna Beach police, Ormond Beach police, Edgewater police, South Daytona police and 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 emblazoned with the ominous message: “Will Run.”
It was for this reason that 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 like: “What happens if I stop?”
However, his taunting 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 candid 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 “WILL RUN” license plate affixed to Jarvis’s motorcycle was a counterfeit, 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 their commitment to 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.
Ashtin Jarvis now faces a litany of charges, including fleeing at high speed, reckless driving, possession of a counterfeit license plate and other traffic violations.
