Arrested man leaps from ambulance, later captured

A 35-year-old Big Pine Key arrestee who ingested four baggies of heroin leapt from an ambulance and fled from Deputies Monday night.

Ira Emil Kawzinsky was not seriously injured in the incident.

He was subsequently charged with violation of probation, resisting arrest, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputy Ty Torres went to a residence on the 1400 block of Merelyn Lane on Big Pine Key at 5:22 p.m. regarding a disturbance. The reporting person stated Kawzinsky discovered he had a warrant for his arrest and was acting erratically. Kawzinsky was located in a bedroom. There was a syringe, spoon and a substance that tested positive for heroin in the bedroom. Kawzinsky was described as incoherent, but responsive.

Deputy Torres took Kawzinsky outside whereupon Kawzinsky began convulsing. Given the medical emergency, Deputies Torres and Anthony Buscemi administered the opioid-blocking drug Narcan and rendered further first aid. Monroe County Fire Rescue paramedics arrived and took over medical care.

The ambulance began traveling south toward Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island with Deputy Torres directly behind. The ambulance stopped suddenly at Mile Marker 30 in the center turn lane. The rear door opened and Kawzinsky jumped out and fled on foot near Loma Lane.

Deputy Torres radioed other Deputies of the situation as he was unsuccessful in apprehending Kawzinsky alone.

Deputies set up a perimeter. U.S. Border Patrol agents — a K9 Unit among them — also responded along with officers from the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Kawzinsky was found a short time later.

Deputy Torres placed Kawzinsky in the back of his patrol car and drove him to the hospital. Kawzinsky stated while en route that he had ingested four bags of heroin prior to Deputy Torres’ arrival at the house. He added that perhaps he blacked out during the incident.

Kawzinsky was medically cleared at the hospital and later booked into jail.

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