PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A 20-year-old motorcyclist is facing a long list of charges after Port St. Lucie police said he sped through the city at more than 100 mph, struck an officer with his motorcycle and then ran into a fast-food drive-thru area, putting customers at risk while trying to escape.
According to the Port St. Lucie Police Department, Malachi Venerin was spotted March 23 riding a motorcycle 103 mph on Southwest Gatlin Boulevard when he passed a traffic unit officer. Police said the officer tracked him down and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Venerin fled instead.
Investigators said Venerin struck the officer with the motorcycle during the attempted stop, then crashed and took off on foot. Police said he ran to a nearby fast-food restaurant and tried to get into vehicles belonging to unsuspecting drive-thru customers as he continued trying to evade officers.
Police said Venerin was eventually taken into custody. According to the department, officers found a loaded firearm in his backpack along with narcotics.
Venerin now faces charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, possession of a concealed firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under 21, resisting without violence, driving with a suspended license, operating a motorcycle without an endorsement, driving an unregistered vehicle, possession of controlled substances involving THC cartridges and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
Officers found narcotics, including THC cartridges and marijuana, with equipment indicating intent to sell. (PSL Police)
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Police said officers recovered about 45 grams of marijuana along with baggies and a scale.
The department said Venerin remained in the St. Lucie County Jail with bond set at $128,000. His motorcycle was also towed.
In a Facebook post, Port St. Lucie police said the encounter was so unusual that “if it wasn’t captured on Body Cam, you wouldn’t believe it,” calling the arrest an example of the dangers officers can face while working to keep the community safe.