ISLAMORADA, Fla. – A 29-year-old Tampa man’s attempt to evade arrest by hiding in the mangroves ended in capture Wednesday after an hours-long search.
Da’Veon Hassan Fleming was arrested and charged with larceny and resisting arrest after stealing a pair of boots from a store in Islamorada.
The incident began around 11 a.m. when Fleming allegedly stole the boots. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office located Fleming’s vehicle near the Snake Creek Bridge and subsequently spotted Fleming nearby. However, he fled into the dense mangroves to avoid apprehension.
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Fleming was initially seen crawling through murky water near Snake Creek. Law enforcement’s attempts to apprehend him on foot and by boat proved unsuccessful.
The search continued throughout the day. At approximately 6 p.m., Fleming was spotted again. He once again fled into the mangroves, this time swimming to a pylon.
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However, with the assistance of a civilian mariner, deputies were finally able to take Fleming into custody. The Florida Highway Patrol also assisted in the operation.
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