A Key West man was arrested on Thursday after he cut through a parking lot to avoid a red light and then fled from the police.
Tauras Terrell Hines, 40, was charged with fleeing law enforcement and refusal to accept and sign a citation. He also was issued traffic citations for cutting across to avoid a red light and running a stop sign.
Around 10:55 p.m., officers were on patrol when they saw a silver Mazda approach a traffic light at the intersection of White Street and Truman Avenue. As the light turned red, the vehicle cut through a gas station parking lot and continued down Truman, leading officers to attempt a traffic stop.
However, despite the patrol car having its lights and siren activated, the vehicle continued on Truman without stopping. A second patrol car joined the chase, although the highest speeds reached were only 25 mph, according to the report. At one point, officers saw the driver pour out a bottle of liquid out of their window. The vehicle then ran a stop sign on Emma Street before finally pulling over.
A man, identified as Hines, got out and continued to walk away quickly, so officers got out and ordered him to lie down. Hines complied, and he was immediately detained.
Hines was transported to the Monroe County Detention Center, where he was released the following day after posting a $35,000 bond.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
If you have information that could help solve a crime in the Florida Keys, call Crime Stoppers, 800-346-TIPS.