A routine test drive turned into a high-stakes drama in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when a woman led police on a wild chase, culminating in her jumping into a canal in a desperate bid to escape.
The incident began at around 2 PM on Friday at Sunshine Auto Sales, a local dealership. According to dealership owner Mike Harrison, the woman, later identified as 32-year-old Lisa Martinez, arrived expressing interest in test-driving a 2020 Ford Mustang. Harrison noted that Martinez seemed genuinely interested in purchasing the car and showed no signs of suspicious behavior.
After handing over her identification and filling out the necessary paperwork, Martinez was handed the keys and escorted by a salesperson for the test drive. However, midway through the drive, Martinez suddenly accelerated, ordering the salesperson out of the vehicle at a red light. Shocked but unharmed, the salesperson immediately contacted the police, triggering a rapid response from local law enforcement.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department quickly located the stolen Mustang using GPS tracking and initiated a pursuit. The chase, which spanned several miles, saw Martinez weaving through traffic at high speeds, narrowly avoiding multiple collisions. Eyewitnesses reported the Mustang barreling down city streets, with police vehicles in hot pursuit and sirens blaring.
The chase took an unexpected turn when Martinez veered off the main road and drove towards a residential area near the Intracoastal Waterway. Realizing she was cornered, Martinez abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, heading towards the canal.
In a dramatic move, she leapt into the canal, attempting to swim across to evade the pursuing officers. However, Fort Lauderdale’s finest were quick to act. Officers stationed on both sides of the canal coordinated a swift and effective response, deploying a police boat to intercept her. Within minutes, Martinez was pulled from the water and taken into custody.
Chief of Police, Edward Ramos, addressed the media shortly after the arrest. “This was a dangerous situation that could have ended much worse,” he stated. “Thanks to the quick thinking and coordinated efforts of our officers, we were able to apprehend the suspect without any injuries to the public or our personnel.”
Martinez is now facing a litany of charges, including grand theft auto, reckless driving, and resisting arrest. She is being held at the Broward County Jail awaiting her first court appearance.
Local residents expressed both shock and relief at the day’s events. “You don’t expect something like this to happen in your neighborhood,” said Karen Mitchell, who witnessed part of the chase. “I’m just glad no one was hurt and the police were able to catch her.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of crime and the swift response required to ensure public safety.