INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The man who led authorities on a 2-day chase eluded two dozen law enforcement officers, three K-9 units, and the Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Authorities eventually caught up with the man and arrested him Friday on a warrant. He is also suspected of committing multiple auto burglaries.
The total active search spanned more than a week, according to the arrest report. On Thursday and Friday last week, more than 24 officers, three K-9 officers and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office helicopter were in pursuit of the suspect. The helicopter flew for a total of 5.5 hours during the search.
Authorities arrested Michael Novakowski, 27, in the area of 8th Street and Old Dixie Hwy. Friday afternoon.
Novakowski was arrested on an active warrant for grand theft involving a victim older than 65, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Thom Raulen said. Novakowski is also suspected in multiple auto burglaries.
Police received information on Thursday that the defendant was inside of a business in the 400 block of US 1. When authorities arrived, they observed him walking away from a Dunkin’ Donuts and ordered him to stop.
Novakowski fled on foot and lost officers when he entered the woods to the east. Officers including three K9 units and the helicopter searched the wooded area for more than two hours before the search was called off.
Novakowski lost his shoes in the chase, according to the official report.
Later that evening, the Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls in reference to a male matching Novakowski’s description walking without shoes in the 900 block of US 1. A second search was launched from approximately 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. that included 20 Sheriff’s Office units, K-9 officers and the helicopter. None of the officers reported a Novakowski sighting.
On Friday, an officer observed a male resembling Novakowski at a Go Line bus stop on 6th Avenue. Novakowski had shaved his facial hair, the arrest report shows.
Novakowski fled again, but multiple witnesses aided in the officer in tracking Novakowski’s direction. The officer spotted Novakowski a short time later, when the defendant jumped a fence into a concrete factory and continued to run.
Another witness reported seeing a man run into the woods near 10th Place.
Police established a perimeter and deployed 14 Sheriff’s Office units, K-9 officers and the helicopter. In less than an hour, a deputy and his K-9 partner located Novakowski hiding in bushes behind a residence at the end of 10th Place, according to the arrest report.
Novakowski was not injured, the report notes.
He is being held in lieu of $12,000 bond.
This article originally published Oct. 23 at 6:04 p.m.