A 43-year-old Miami Beach man was arrested Saturday night for fleeing from multiple Deputies while reaching speeds of 100 mph on U.S. 1.
Paulo J. Bernabeu was charged with fleeing and eluding, driving without a motorcycle license and tampering/destroying evidence.
The incident began about 11 p.m. on Boca Chica Key when a southbound motorcyclist — later identified as Bernabeu — fled from Lower Keys Deputy Ryan Chlebanoswki reaching speeds of 83 mph in a 55 mph zone. Other Deputies reported seeing and following the motorcycle as it turned around near the Tringale at Key West and then proceeded northbound.
As many as eight Deputies would took part in the following pursuit, engaging the motorcyclist and then slowing down due to safety concerns as it continued to speed north, reaching triple digit speeds.
Traffic Enforcement Unit Deputy Juan Martin-Reyes heard the be-on-the-lookouts issued and saw the motorcycle at Mile Marker 28 about 11:32 a.m. coming up behind him. The motorcycle, still speeding, began driving very close to the left rear side of Martin-Reyes’ patrol car. Martin-Reyes moved and allowed the motorcycle to pass and then turned on his lights and sirens as the motorcycle hit 100 mph. Martin-Reyes’ terminated the pursuit as the motorcycle entered Big Pine Key.
Middle Keys Deputies then engaged the motorcyclist as it went across the Seven Mile Bridge and entered Marathon. By this time, Deputies had a tag number and a litany of other identifying information for the 2007 Honda sport motorcycle.
Deputy Garrett Bragg was northbound near the Long Key Bridge when he spotted a red reflector hidden behind a palm tree. He stopped and confirmed it was the suspect motorcycle. Deputy Bragg then saw the suspect exit from behind a nearby residence. Deputy Bragg ordered the suspect, identified as Bernabeu on the ground at gunpoint.
Black motorcycle pants, jacket and a helmet that Bernabeu were wearing were found nearby hidden under a kayak.
Bernabeu stated he fled because he did not have a motorcycle license.
Bernabeu was taken to jail.
