Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Body Cam Video of Man Escaping Police By Jumping Overboard
On August 12, 2024, two Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers on water patrol near Rat Key in Seaplane Basin observed a vessel grounded at Rat Key with a green kayak tied off at the stern. The vessel—a 1990, 31‑foot Tiara registered as ***** GB and bearing the name “Sunseeker”—was occupied by its registered owner.
When contacted, the owner explained that individuals on the water were harassing him. The vessel was found hard aground, lacking steerage; its port holes and part of the windshield were exposed to the elements; there were no gauges, helm, electronics, or compass; and the interior had been completely stripped. These conditions met the criteria for a derelict vessel under Florida Statute 823.11(2), which defines a wrecked vessel as one that is aground and unable to extricate itself without mechanical assistance and a junked vessel as one substantially stripped of components.
A records check revealed that on June 20, 2024, another officer had discussed the vessel’s derelict status with the owner. During the investigation, the owner was informed of the vessel’s condition and advised that a Notification of Rights Packet along with a court date would be issued. When asked what would occur if he did not appear in court, he was told that a warrant for his arrest would be issued. The owner indicated he had no intention of attending court.
As a result, the officers explained that he would be taken to Stock Island Jail. The owner then declared he would not go to jail, jumped off his boat, and fled onto Rat Key. Officers pursued him from the east side of Rat Key to its west side. At approximately 2133 hours, the owner entered the water and began swimming away. One officer maintained visual contact with the aid of a flashlight until a second officer navigated around Rat Key and located him swimming. The second officer remained with him until, at approximately 2204 hours, Key West Police Department and the United States Coast Guard arrived on scene.
The owner swam around Seaplane Basin for about 1 hour and 20 minutes before boarding the USCG vessel, where he was handcuffed. He was then transferred to a Key West Police vessel and transported to Stock Island Jail. At the jail, officers noted that the handcuffs had been applied too tightly, resulting in a small laceration on his left wrist.
During his escape, the owner mentioned that he had previously served jail time and was on suicide watch during that incarceration. Once in custody, he refused to cooperate and was placed on a psychiatric hold (psych level 1). At the jail, he was issued a Resource Citation and a Notification of Rights Packet, and he was charged with violating Florida Statute 823.11 (prohibiting derelict vessels on state waters) and Florida Statute 843.02 (resisting arrest without violence). Because he was held under psychiatric status, his citations and rights packet were kept with his personal belongings.
Photographs were taken with a state-issued iPhone camera, and the entire event was recorded on body-worn cameras. All events occurred in Monroe County, Florida.
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Body Cam Video of Man Escaping Police By Jumping Overboard
On August 12, 2024, two Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers on water patrol near Rat Key in Seaplane Basin observed a vessel grounded at Rat Key with a green kayak tied off at the stern. The vessel—a 1990, 31‑foot Tiara registered as ***** GB and bearing the name “Sunseeker”—was occupied by its registered owner.
When contacted, the owner explained that individuals on the water were harassing him. The vessel was found hard aground, lacking steerage; its port holes and part of the windshield were exposed to the elements; there were no gauges, helm, electronics, or compass; and the interior had been completely stripped. These conditions met the criteria for a derelict vessel under Florida Statute 823.11(2), which defines a wrecked vessel as one that is aground and unable to extricate itself without mechanical assistance and a junked vessel as one substantially stripped of components.
A records check revealed that on June 20, 2024, another officer had discussed the vessel’s derelict status with the owner. During the investigation, the owner was informed of the vessel’s condition and advised that a Notification of Rights Packet along with a court date would be issued. When asked what would occur if he did not appear in court, he was told that a warrant for his arrest would be issued. The owner indicated he had no intention of attending court.
As a result, the officers explained that he would be taken to Stock Island Jail. The owner then declared he would not go to jail, jumped off his boat, and fled onto Rat Key. Officers pursued him from the east side of Rat Key to its west side. At approximately 2133 hours, the owner entered the water and began swimming away. One officer maintained visual contact with the aid of a flashlight until a second officer navigated around Rat Key and located him swimming. The second officer remained with him until, at approximately 2204 hours, Key West Police Department and the United States Coast Guard arrived on scene.
The owner swam around Seaplane Basin for about 1 hour and 20 minutes before boarding the USCG vessel, where he was handcuffed. He was then transferred to a Key West Police vessel and transported to Stock Island Jail. At the jail, officers noted that the handcuffs had been applied too tightly, resulting in a small laceration on his left wrist.
During his escape, the owner mentioned that he had previously served jail time and was on suicide watch during that incarceration. Once in custody, he refused to cooperate and was placed on a psychiatric hold (psych level 1). At the jail, he was issued a Resource Citation and a Notification of Rights Packet, and he was charged with violating Florida Statute 823.11 (prohibiting derelict vessels on state waters) and Florida Statute 843.02 (resisting arrest without violence). Because he was held under psychiatric status, his citations and rights packet were kept with his personal belongings.
Photographs were taken with a state-issued iPhone camera, and the entire event was recorded on body-worn cameras. All events occurred in Monroe County, Florida.
Donny Rapture,POLICE WATCH,cops,bodycam,body camera,police,news law&crime network,code blue cam,police interaction,police officer,crime documentaries,crime documentary,dui,police activity,police videos,POLICE INSIDER,police insider uncut,first amendment audit,1st amendment audit,inside edition,corrupt cops caught on camera,cop,live pd,a&e,law and crime network,crime,law enforcement,donut operator,FWC,Fish And Wildlife,Hunting,Fishing
