ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – A 36-year-old man with active warrants who fled from police officers was arrested Sunday.
The Atlantic Beach Police Department said it received two complaints about a suspicious man driving an older-model brown SUV.
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The first caller told police the man pulled up beside her and solicited sex from her. Police said the second caller advised the man was driving slowly down the road while masturbating in public.
A short time later Atlantic Beach police found an SUV in the area that matched the description, including a partial Florida tag number that was given.
The SUV took off after emergency lights were activated to stop it. Police said the SUV reached speeds of 80 mph while driving north on Sherry Drive, at which time the police officer turned off his emergency lights and slowed down due to the high speed of the SUV.
The man then made an abrupt turn and hit a police car that was stopped at a stop sign on Eighth Street. Police said the man ran away and was arrested a short distance away.
The driver, identified as Johnnie Thomas Raben, had active warrants out of other Florida counties for grand theft auto, burglary of an occupied dwelling, and violation of probation on a charge of use of firearm during the commission of a felony, according to Atlantic Beach police.
Local charges include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, no seat belt, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and resisting without violence. Police said additional charges are pending.