Deputy Smiles In Mug Shot After Fleeing Police

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Deputy Smiles In Mug Shot After Fleeing Police
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 – updated: 5:44 pm EST February 11, 2009

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- The man grinning in his mug shot is a Volusia County deputy and he's accused of taking local cops on a high-speed chase with his motorcycle. It all started when Edgewater police tried to pull over deputies Omar Lopez and Austin Littleton.

Police said the deputies were speeding and driving recklessly on their motorcycles, but the officers told Eyewitness News they had no idea they were pursuing deputies.

There was an officer posted in a parking lot when he saw two men on motorcycles speeding past him; one was doing a wheelie. As soon as police followed them, they sped up and disappeared into a neighborhood.

Lopez was smiling when he was booked into jail Tuesday, even though the five-year sheriff's veteran is facing a felony charge, accused of running from Edgewater police.

"I think that they really needed to stop and think what they were doing, and especially the one that took off from the scene and kept on going," said Paulette Tubbs, Edgewater Police Department.

Lopez was spotted on US-1 Tuesday with Deputy Austin Littleton. Both were on personal motorcycles when an officer saw them going 60mph in a 35mph zone. They did eventually pull over, but Lopez wasn't about to stay there.

"The other officer stopped and then took off again from that position," Tubbs said.

More officers joined the pursuit and Lopez was spotted again near Oak Hill, where he appeared to be hiding behind a gas station. Again, he sped away.

It wasn't until police checked the ID of the other motorcyclist that they realized they were dealing with off-duty deputies. Police reports said a sheriff lieutenant was called to the scene. He compelled Littleton to give up Lopez and police arrested the 34-year-old in his New Smyrna Beach home.

Police insist, the pair were done no favors.

"No, no, no, 'cause they did not know that they were deputies," Tubbs said.

While Deputy Littleton was stopped and getting three tickets for his part in it, his cell phone rang and it was Deputy Lopez. The sheriff lieutenant who was on scene grabbed the phone and answered it, only to have Lopez hang up on him.

Both men were suspended with pay Wednesday morning while the sheriff's office investigates.
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