Florida Man Crashes Stolen Dirt Bike Into Woods During Police Chase

Credit: Marion County Sheriff’s Office

OCALA, Florida - A Florida man is in jail after he allegedly crashed a stolen dirt bike into the woodline of a dead-end road during a police chase just before 10 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024.

Around 9:45 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Deputy Qubaisy conducted a traffic stop on a dirt bike near the intersection of Oak Road and Hickory Track Road, in Ocala, Florida. 

Deputies say that the rider, 39-year-old Jonathan Johnson, turned onto Hickory Track Road and began to slow down. 

However, after looking back at Deputy Qubaisy’s patrol vehicle with its lights and siren active, Johnson allegedly accelerated at a high rate of speed in an attempt to flee. 

The Florida man fled for a short distance and came to the dead end of Hickory Track Road, where he was unable to stop and crashed into the woodline.

Deputy Qubaisy approached Johnson on foot and was able to apprehend him without further incident. 

Johnson told the deputy that he fled because he did not have a motorcycle endorsement on his driver’s license. But further investigation by MCSO revealed that the dirt bike he fled on was reported stolen.

Johnson was arrested for Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Operating a Motorcycle without an Endorsement. He was transported to the Marion County Jail.