VERO BEACH — A 28-year-old man who led deputies on a foot chase on a high school campus where a graduation ceremony was taking place nearby told authorities, “Call the cops, arrest me,” reports show.
The man was drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes outside of the Freshman Learning Center at Vero Beach High School, authorities said.
Deputies arrested Brendan Thomas Madigan, of the 2100 block of 85th Court, on a variety of charges including disorderly intoxication, trespass on school property and resisting an officer without violence. He was released Saturday from the county jail on $4,000 bond.
A deputy responded to complaints about 8 p.m. Friday of a suspicious man downing alcohol outside of the freshman learning center, 1507 19th Street. The high school graduation ceremony was underway at the school’s football stadium just down the street, according to deputies and School District spokeswoman Cristen McMillan.
The assistant principal, David Erickson, contacted law enforcement about the man, later identified as Madigan, being at the campus. Erickson told Madigan he could not smoke in the bus loop area and Madigan replied, “Watch me,” and lit the cigarette, reports show.
When the deputy arrived, Madigan fled on foot eastbound throughout the school. The deputy got out of his patrol car and chased Madigan.
Madigan ran about 100 yards into the school campus before deputies detained him, authorities said. Madigan, who smelled of alcohol, told deputies, “(expletive) you, I’ll kill you,” reports show.
Madigan could not give deputies a reason as to why he was on the school property. Deputies detained Madigan and put him in the patrol car.
While headed to the jail, Madigan smashed his face against the partition in the vehicle, causing himself to bleed, authorities said. Deputies took Madigan to a local hospital for treatment and then to the county jail.
Madigan has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. June 19, court records show.