Holmes Beach police arrested Christopher Leopard, 46, of Bradenton, Nov. 7 on a second-degree felony for allegedly fleeing to elude law enforcement at high speeds.
Leopard also faces two first-degree misdemeanor charges for alleged obstruction of law enforcement without violence.
An officer saw a motorist exit the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, around 10:41 p.m., and drive through an intersection from the left-turn lane.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, Leopard, whose license was associated with an active warrant.
When backup arrived, the officer again approached Leopard, who refused to get out of his vehicle and said his identity was stolen, according to a police report.
Leopard fled in his vehicle eastbound on Manatee Avenue — reaching speeds of 120 mph — with police in pursuit, according to the report.
A deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which was called for backup, deployed stop sticks to disable Leopard’s vehicle on the Palma Sola Causeway but Leopard continued to flee, driving on the wrong side of the road.
Leopard hit a median and ran a stop light before his vehicle lost a front tire near the Manatee Avenue intersection with 39th Street West, according to police.
With his vehicle slowing down, Leopard fled on foot, with officers also on foot in pursuit.
He was arrested for fleeing to elude and resisting arrest and also was issued 11 traffic citations.
He was transported to the Manatee County jail, where he remained Nov. 16 on a $16,000 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a second-degree felony includes up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation and a fine of up to $10,000.
Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor includes up to one year in jail, one year of probation and a fine of up to $1,000.
An arraignment was set for Nov. 20 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.