Holly MatkinClearwater, FL – A viral video captured the moment when a handcuffed spring breaker escaped out of the back of a patrol vehicle and took off running down the beach (video below).
The incident occurred on Clearwater Beach at approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday, after police responded to a report of a fight, WTVT reported.
They ended up arresting 18-year-old Dominic Glass, who was then handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
Cell phone footage showed the large crowd that congregated around the police SUV, to include some beachgoers who were yelling at the officer who arrested Glass.
As the officer walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle, one bystander reached out and opened the latch to the rear passenger door, the video showed.
A second later, Glass jumped out with his hands still cuffed behind his back and took off running across the beach.
The crowd erupted in to cheers as a slew of people began running across the sand behind him, the video showed.
The footage quickly went viral on Instagram and TikTok, WTVT reported.
Glass was recaptured after a brief chase and booked into jail on charges of resisting an officer without violence, disorderly conduct, and escape.
You may have seen the video. Here's the handcuffed suspect who tried to flee from police on the beach. Dominic Glass has been charged with escape, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence. pic.twitter.com/K38xhcr4gJ
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) March 18, 2021
Police also arrested 18-year-old Adam Asad on charges of resisting arrest without violence and aiding prisoner escape for opening the door of the patrol SUV to let Glass out, WTVT reported.
Adam Asad, 18, of Oldsmar is the suspect who helped a handcuffed prisoner to escape on the beach. He faces two charges — aiding prisoner escape and resisting arrest without violence. He bragged he was going to be famous for his actions. Now he's been taken to jail. pic.twitter.com/xoXLFUzHGh
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) March 18, 2021
A total of 26 officers ended up responding to the beach to quell the mayhem, arresting four people by the time the ordeal was over.
“While many of the young adults in the video think this is funny, it has turned what would have been a very minor violation to one that will have severe consequences,” Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter told WTVT.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below:
An 18-year-old who was arrested, handcuffed, and held in the back of a Florida police cruiser took off after a bystander opened the car door. Police later took him back into custody and he was taken to jail.
STORY: https://t.co/Pvth3DZGlG
Video Courtesy: Clearwater Police pic.twitter.com/p7fyV9JRa0— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) March 19, 2021
