Jan 14, 2008 11:58 am US/Eastern
New Charges For Man Who Led Police On Wild Chase
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Angel Soto was charged with leading police on a high speed chase near Miami International Airport.
MIAMI DADE POLICE/CBS
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Driver of this cream-colored station wagon leads Miami-Dade police on a chase
CBS
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At one point, it appeared the suspect was cornered but he simply swerved around the patrol cars and drove over a median to avoid capture
CBS
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After running out of road, the suspect bailed out and was quickly captured
CBS
A Miami Dade man accused of leading police on a chase near Miami International Airport has is facing new charges.
Monday, 36-year Angel Soto was arraigned Monday on charges of fleeing from police, battery on a police officer without violence and a single count of cocaine possession.
The judge, who classified Soto a violent offender, set a trial date for March 31st.
Last month, a judge ruled that Soto should be held without bond after he led Miami Dade police on a wild chase near MIA.
The incident began when Miami Dade police officers received a report that a lunch truck had been robbed at 3328 NW 29th Street.
When officers spotted a vehicle that matched one described as being used as the get away car, they pursued it at high-speeds along 836 and the surrounding roadway. The driver, Soto, weaved his way in and out of traffic, almost hitting pedestrians, a gas tanker and a retaining wall along the way. Police say he also tried to ram two police cars.
At times during this chase, officers were practically bumper to bumper with the suspect, and then at other times they backed off.
Finally, the suspect exited the Dolphin Expressway and sped up Perimeter Road, next to Miami International Airport. He turned again at 25th Street where his road ran out in a Customs warehouse area. After the driver skidded over a median between two police over a median and having nowhere else to go, the suspect slammed into a traffic barrier. Soto then took off of foot and tried to outrun police but they caught up to him as he jumped spread eagle into some bushes.
He surrendered after at least six officers jumped on top of him. Video of the capture shows several officers punching and kicking Soto as he was pinned to the ground. Two of the officers involved in the take down were suspended with pay.
Police realized Soto was not the person they were looking for. The suspects wanted in the lunch truck robbery were described as three males and a female who was driving the getaway car.
One eyewitness said "They took $60 from the lunch truck. They pointed a gun at me and told me to turn around."
Soto, however, who did have a warrant out for his arrest, was charged with cocaine possession, driving with a suspended license, driving with an expired license, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, fleeing and eluding police and 2 counts of battery on a police officer.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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