Backhoe on low Speed Police Chase – Video

 

A 59-year-old Florida man faces a list of charges after authorities say he led them on a low-speed chase in a stolen backhoe over the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys early Tuesday.

Carl Blahnik boosted a backhoe and took it for an hour-and-a-half joyride back-and-forth across the bridge, dumping boulders in the road and leaving a trail of damage behind him, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Dashcam video uploaded to the Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page went viral, piling up nearly 150,000 views at last check.

Authorities say the bridge, the roadway and at least one deputy’s patrol car were damaged in the chase. Deputies finally stopped Blahnik in his tracks with a spike strip as he tried to leave the north end of the bridge about 1:20 a.m. and took him into custody.

The bridge reopened to traffic about 3 a.m.

Blahnik is charged with reckless driving, fleeing and eluding police, digging up a street, failing to register a motor vehicle and grand theft of a vehicle, according to the Sheriff’s Office. It’s not yet clear whether he has an attorney.

 

Source: Facebook page