Man who fled on dirtbike arrested

A 22-year-old Key West man, formerly of Lakeland, Florida, was booked into jail Wednesday on a warrant stemming from an incident in October.

Travis Brandon Williams was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, failure to register a motor vehicle and having no license.

The incident occurred at 6:52 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2018. Middle Keys Deputy Edward Swogger was stationary at the 4100 block of the Overseas Highway near 41st Street. He saw a man, later identified as Williams, riding a black and yellow Suzuki dirtbike with racing-style number plates driving on 41st Street. Swogger followed the motorcycle and turned on his lights and sirens. The motorcycle turned onto Louis Street and continued to accelerate. Swogger estimated the dirtbike to be traveling 60 mph in a 25 mph zone. The birtbike continued to flee, turning onto 37th Street and trailer park before turning back onto Louisa Street and then onto Tuskegee Street before a rock driveway.

Deputy Swogger found the motorcycle in the yard, but not Williams. Several other deputies had also joined the pursuit by that point. Several children approached and asked the deputies if they had, “caught Travis yet,” as they saw part of the pursuit.

Warrants were obtained for Williams’ arrest. Meanwhile, the motorcycle was found to have been reported stolen from Lakeland, Florida.

Williams was booked into jail Wednesday.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]