Authorities in Florida have arrested and charged a 24-year-old man who allegedly recorded himself committing various traffic offenses – including riding “dangerously close” towards police officers – and then posting the video on YouTube.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, the St. Petersburg Police Department in an arrest affidavit stated that Javan Gomes was riding an electric bike when he allegedly fled police, popped wheelies, jumped red lights, and rode in the direction of oncoming traffic. Gomes, who committed the alleged traffic violations on January 23, recorded his actions with a camera installed on his helmet.
The video that the suspect posted on YouTube ultimately led to his arrest after two weeks. The affidavit stated that authorities who spotted Gomes committing the traffic violations attempted to pull him over on several occasions. But he always rode away.
Authorities also cited instances where the suspect would allegedly force a police car on the road to come to a halt by using his bike to stop the vehicle. He then went ahead to ride around the officers while hurling explicit language and failing to comply with orders to stop, the affidavit stated, per FOX 35 Orlando.
“The defendant did not leave the area until there were upwards of 5-6 unmarked/marked police vehicles in the area,” the affidavit stated.
Police said Gomes subsequently posted the video of his alleged reckless riding on YouTube after capturing it on the camera installed on his helmet. The video, which led police to arrest Gomes and was titled “Cops Tried To Take Down Surron”, has since been taken down.
The suspect faces a slew of charges including fleeing or eluding police, racing on a highway, failure to have motorcycle endorsement on driver’s license, and threatening a law enforcement officer. The 24-year-old suspect was later released after posting bond.
