Holmes Beach police arrested resident Tim Stephens, 58, July 4 on a third-degree felony for fleeing/evading police.
Stephens also was charged with a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving an unregistered vehicle.
An officer was directing traffic at the intersection of 43rd Street and Gulf Drive due to a vehicle accident when he saw a motorist driving a scooter in a bicycle lane and crossing the double-yellow median to pass other motorists.
The officer contacted the driver and asked him to pull over, but the driver “immediately fled east on 43rd Street,” according to a police report.
The officer returned to his vehicle, activated his lights and siren, then followed after the motorist, who accelerated and ran multiple stop signs.
The officer followed the motorist until he came to a stop at the end of Avenue E.
There, the officer arrested the motorist, later identified as Stephens, who said he did not want to get a ticket for driving an unlicensed scooter.
The officer found the scooter was not registered in any U.S. state and called Elmers Towing to have it removed.
The officer issued several citations to Stephens and transported him to the Manatee County jail, where he was released that day after posting $1,620 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
Punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail, six months of probation and a fine of up to $500.
An arraignment was not scheduled as of July 5.