Early Bird Gets the Worm - Air-1 Catches Suspect Who Fled on Motorcycle

Mistake #1: driving recklessly through traffic on a motorcycle.
Mistake #2: choosing to flee when a deputy pulls you over.
Mistake #3: not realizing that the deputy who pulled you over is also one of our pilots.
Mistake #4: assuming our pilots and deputies would not be up at dawn, finding you the next day.

On April 24, 2025, at around 7:30 a.m., Aviation Pilot Joe Jenkins observed Richard Martin drive his motorcycle around traffic stopped for a red light by using a turn-only lane. Pilot Jenkins began following Martin and saw him run a red light while driving recklessly in and out of traffic. A traffic stop was attempted, and Martin was told to pull to the side of the road. Martin then fled from Pilot Jenkins at a high rate of speed through a parking lot. A pursuit was not initiated due to a concern for safety.

The next morning, Pilot Jenkins and Pilot Neo Brooks arrived at Martin's home in MCSO's AIR-1 helicopter around the same time Martin fled the day prior. After several minutes, Martin exited his home on the motorcycle he had fled on the previous day (which he had parked behind the residence). AIR-1 followed Martin from above and provided updates to units on the ground, who were positioning to apprehend him. Ultimately, a traffic stop was conducted in the 1600 block of SW 42nd Street, and Martin was taken into custody. Martin was also found to have marijuana in a backpack.

Martin was arrested for Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer and Possession of Marijuana and transported to the Marion County Jail.