Man Steals Vodka Can From Store, Offers It To Florida Police As They Try Stopping Him; Dramatic Chase Follows (Video)

Only in Florida! A dramatic scene unfolded in Sebring on April 19 when a man accused of stealing vodka spritzers from a convenience store took things to the next level — by offering one to the cops chasing him. Who does that? A 39-year-old man named Richard Christopher Smith dared to offer stolen alcohol cans to the cops as they tried to stop him during his run.

Bodycam footage from the Highlands County Sheriff's Office showed the vodka thief placing a can out of his car window as he passed by the police vehicle. When a cop said "Stop, stop", Smith slowed down, extended a can of vodka, and casually said, “I was just gonna give you a drink, that’s it".

The man offered the alcohol to the Sheriff’s deputies before speeding away. The video captured the high-speed chase, and that’s now going viral online.

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The police told the media that Smith allegedly stole several items, including vodka spritzer cans, from the store. When deputies rushed to nab him, they found Smith behind the wheel, driving in circles in the parking lot.

He managed a brief escape.

The cops chased him and arrested him later.

Spike strips were eventually deployed, disabling Smith’s vehicle. The pursuit concluded near Sebring Regional Airport, where Smith crashed into another car and stepped down with a cigarette.

According to Yahoo News UK, Smith now faces a list of charges including DUI (Driving Under the Influence), petty theft, and two counts of resistsing arrest. His bond was reportedly set at $120,000 (Rs. 1,02,62,550).

The entire incident was filmed on bodycam footage, portions of which have since surfaced on social media.

One user on X summed up the incident and wrote, “Guy in Sebring Florida steals vodka spritz cans from a convenience store, offers officer a can before driving off and leading police on a high-speed pursuit. Florida is undefeated".

Another added, “Imagine you're a cop, adrenaline pumping, tires screeching — and the guy you’re chasing slows down just long enough to offer you a vodka spritzer. Not a metaphor. An actual drink".

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