An Ohio man wanted on out-of-state warrants is accused of turning a routine Florida Keys traffic stop into a chase involving a Publix parking lot, a stolen fire extinguisher, several properties, and a jump into the Gulf. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 28-year-old Brandon Lee May of East Liberty, Ohio.
Deputies say the incident began around 12:30 p.m. near Mile Marker 83 after they received reports of a reckless driver in a Dodge SUV. The sheriff’s office says the vehicle was clocked traveling 63 mph in a 45-mph zone before May refused to stop and sped away.
Authorities say May eventually drove into a Publix parking lot, where he continued driving recklessly and endangered pedestrians before abandoning the SUV and taking off on foot. His passenger, 28-year-old Anthony Shane Morris of Islamorada, remained inside the vehicle and allegedly moved into the driver’s seat after May ran.
What followed was not exactly a subtle escape attempt. According to the sheriff’s office, May tried to enter a plumbing business, ran through residential property, stole a fire extinguisher, jumped a fence, entered another residence, and ultimately made his way into the Gulfside water.
Chase Leaves SUV Behind and Heads Straight for the Water
The sheriff’s office says May unsuccessfully tried to gain entry to the plumbing business before moving to a nearby residence, where he stole a fire extinguisher and pulled its pin. Rather than staying there, deputies say he kept running and jumped a fence near Avocado Street.
Authorities say May then entered another residence before jumping into the Gulfside water as deputies continued pursuing him. Multiple Taser attempts were made during the chase before deputies successfully shocked May and took him into custody.
Even then, the sheriff’s office says the struggle continued, with May accused of pulling away and kicking at deputies. Officials say that behavior continued at Mariners Hospital in Tavernier before May was later transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital with a broken wrist.
Florida Arrest Comes With a Long List of Charges
May was charged with fleeing and eluding while endangering pedestrians, possession of a firearm by a felon during the commission of a felony, burglary while armed, grand theft, and resisting arrest both with and without violence. He was also charged with driving with a suspended license.
Deputies say two handguns were found inside the Dodge SUV after the chase. Morris was charged with accessory after the fact after authorities say he initially gave deputies a false identity for May, telling them the two had met only about five days earlier.
The sheriff’s office also says May is wanted in Ohio for robbery, battery by strangulation, and a probation violation. The agency did not identify which Ohio county issued the warrants, and separate Facebook speculation attempting to connect him to other incidents in East Liberty has not been verified by authorities.
Commenters Cannot Get Over the Gulf Escape Attempt
Much of the reaction under a different Facebook post that details the incident focused on the decision to run into the water, with one commenter who said they live near East Liberty and spend time in the Keys concluding that May “obviously… doesn’t know the Keys very well.” Another reaction simply called him “one smart cookie,” with sarcasm doing most of the work.
Others were more interested in the Ohio connection, including commenters trying to determine where his outstanding warrants originated. One person suggested Columbus may be tied to the probation violation, while another recalled a local Facebook post involving someone with the same name, though none of those claims were confirmed in the sheriff’s office release.
The overall tone was less confusion over the arrest than disbelief at how far the escape attempt escalated. Starting with a traffic stop and ending with a Taser in the Gulf gave commenters plenty to work with, even before factoring in the fire extinguisher detour.