Man arrested for fleeing

A 43-year-old Islamorada man was arrested Sunday afternoon after fleeing from deputies on foot.

Thomas Henry McConnell was charged with flee/eluding police, resisting arrest without violence, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McConnell was spotted near Mile Marker 87. He was driving a Toyota pickup truck. Deputies knew McConnell from previous encounters with law enforcement. They also knew that he has a suspended license. Deputy Bryan Branco spotted the truck near Coral Shores High School shortly thereafter and got behind the suspect vehicle. Deputy Branco radioed Deputy Nicholas Thaler to inform him he was going to initiate a traffic stop. The truck turned off U.S. 1 near Mile Marker 83. Deputy Branco found the truck pulled over on the shoulder and the driver, identified as McConnell, out of the vehicle. Deputy Blanco began a traffic stop. McConnell looked at Deputy Blanco. McConnell fled on foot. Deputy Branco gave chase on foot.

Deputy Thaler and others took part in the search for about an hour when McConnell was spotted near the Postcard Inn. He was detained at that time. A small amount of marijuana and a pipe was found in the truck.

McConnell was taken to the Monroe County Detention Center on Stock Island.

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