A 72-year-old Jupiter man is facing several charges for initiating a high-speed chase through the Upper Keys after he failed to stop for Florida Highway Patrol troopers on Aug. 8.
A report by FHP states Trooper Nicholas Pope was attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a gray Toyota Camry for exceeding the speed limit on U.S. 1 near MM 95 in Key Largo just after 7:30 p.m. The motorist, later identified as Glenn Salts, didn’t stop as Pope activated his emergency lights.
Troopers say Salts continued driving in a reckless manner, placing other motorists on the road in danger as Pope started to chase him. Trooper Robbie Valenzuela joined the high-speed chase near MM 91 and attempted a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, in which an officer tries to make the vehicle he’s chasing spin out and come to a stop by bumping the rear of it with the front of his squad car. The attempt was unsuccessful and his patrol vehicle was left inoperable.
According to the report, Salts continued driving at high speed on U.S. 1 and making multiple dangerous movements in congested traffic and through a construction zone where crews are installing new water transmission main. Continuing the pursuit, Pope successfully executed a PIT maneuver on the vehicle near MM 84 in Islamorada. The driver was pulled out of the vehicle and arrested. FHP received assistance from Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies who deployed spikes just before the vehicle raced south on U.S. 1 near MM 87.
“The troopers, motoring public, and MCSO sustained no injuries. Many thanks to MCSO; they were a great help as usual during the incident,” said FHP’s Pedro Reinoso.
Salts is facing felony charges for fleeing and eluding police, resisting an officer, evidence destroying and battery. He’s also facing several misdemeanor charges for DUI and moving traffic violations.
