INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 30-year-old man who led deputies on a high-speed chase while heading to a poker game, hid in an apartment and pretended to be asleep, was detained over the weekend.
Tyrone Geoffrey Jenkins (PHOTO PROVIDED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)
Tyrone Geoffrey Jenkins Jr. told deputies he fled because he knew his driver’s license was suspended and he “just didn’t want to go to jail,” reports show. Deputies noted Jenkins was not driving for essential purposes, violating Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order implemented earlier this month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The order is active until April 30, unless an extension is made.
Deputies arrested Jenkins, of the 4200 block of 36th Court, Vero Beach, on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, violation of emergency management order, resisting arrest without violence and driving while license revoked. Jenkins was released Sunday from the Indian River County Jail on $31,500 bond.
An Indian River County deputy spotted a black Chevrolet Cobalt about 11 p.m. Saturday near eastbound State Road 60. The deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop after noticing the vehicle was traveling with an inoperable tag light.
When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the Chevrolet continued traveling, reaching at least 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, reports show. The vehicle then traveled north on 58th Avenue, accelerating to about 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, deputies said.
A sheriff’s helicopter tracked the Chevrolet as it ran stop signs and red lights, while cutting off other vehicles, deputies said.
Deputies deployed stop sticks to disable the vehicle, but were unsuccessful. The Chevrolet then turned into an apartment complex on 41st Avenue.
The driver, identified as Jenkins, ran inside one of the units, reports show. Deputies went to the apartment and spoke to a woman, who said Jenkins knocked on her window frantically.
The woman, the mother of Jenkins’ son, asked Jenkins what was happening. He replied, “Nothing, just hanging out,” reports show.
The woman said Jenkins went inside the apartment, took off his shirt and pretended to be asleep in one of the bedrooms. Deputies called Jenkins to the front door, detained him and took him to the county jail.
Jenkins has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. June 5, court records show.
