Port St. Lucie man nabbed after 'reckless' BMW chase
By: -----
Martin County, FL - A late-night joyride ended in arrest for a 37-year-old Port St. Lucie man after he allegedly led deputies on a reckless chase on U.S. 1.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Joshua Phillip Thebeau was driving a white BMW at excessive speeds near Britt Road when deputies attempted to pull him over.
The sheriff's office said that instead of stopping, Thebeau accelerated, prompting a brief pursuit. However, deputies decided to call off the chase for the safety of other motorists.
Believing he had escaped, Thebeau continued southbound on U.S. 1 at dangerous speeds, deputies say.
However, the sheriff's office said that deputies were not done pursuing Thebeau.
With the assistance of the Sheriff's Office's Air One, deputies maintained visual contact. As the chase continued onto I-95 southbound, deputies reported positioning themselves to create a blockade.
The report states that when the time was right, deputies used a Vehicle Intervention Technique to bring Thebeau’s vehicle to a safe stop, ending the high-speed pursuit without injury to anyone involved.
Thebeau was arrested on the scene, allegedly claiming he fled because his driver's license was suspended.
A search of his car reportedly revealed used needles and what appeared to be bags of methamphetamine.
He has since been taken to the Martin County Jail and is being held on a $22,500 bond.