A drunken Miami man refused to stop for police when instructed to and instead offered a deputy a Vodka Spritzer before driving away. The incident escalated, ending in the suspect being tased in some of the strangest bodycam footage I've ever seen.
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press release by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office explains how the bizarre events started. Police received a report from Spring Lake Market that a man had stolen several items, including alcohol, before strolling out of the store. As officers made their way to the market, they encountered the suspect, Richard Christopher Smith, 39, in his black minivan. He was allegedly having a great time driving circles around the store before the police showed up.Bodycam footage shows a deputy asking Smith to stop his van. He makes no attempt to slow down, saying, "I was just going to give you a drink, that's it!" before driving away.
The press release explains that Smith 'attempted to ram two vehicles' after driving past the deputy. Officers had to resort to using a spike strip to stop the drunk driver, puncturing all four of his tires.
The Drunken Driver Seems Unaware Of The Severity Of The Situation
Smith appears oblivious to how much trouble he is in as multiple police cars chase him up the road. He finally gets out after hitting another vehicle. Smith casually strides toward armed officers as one screams, "Get on the ground now!" He ignores the deputy's instructions and keeps walking while smoking a cigarette.
When Smith gets a little too close for comfort, a deputy blasts him with a taser, immediately dropping him to the ground. When police cuff him, Smith has the audacity to ask, "What am I under arrest for?" An officer replies, "A whole lot of stupid **** right now." With his hands behind his back, Smith asks the officers, "You guys had fun, though, right?"
Fun or not, police charged their cool customer with numerous offenses. He faces two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test, and petty theft. He also has a bond of $120,000.
