Man Flees Deputies, Ditches Stolen U-Haul, Runs Into Woods To Evade Arrest

Lehigh Acres, FL - A Southwest Florida man has been arrested for leading deputies on a chase in a stolen U-Haul, abandoning the vehicle, and running into the woods to evade arrest.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), deputies were investigating a stolen U-Haul case when they located the missing vehicle at a Lehigh Acres McDonald's.

As deputies approached the vehicle, the driver, identified as 30-year-old Carlos Alberto Rodriguez, sped away.

A high-speed chase ensued, involving the sheriff's aviation unit, before Rodriguez abandoned the U-Haul at a Walmart and fled on foot.

LCSO deputies says Rodriguez "ditched something" before running out of the Walmart's back door and into the woods.

Deputies apprehended him after a brief chase.

Evidence recovered from the scene, including key fobs believed to be from rental lots, further implicated Rodriguez in the theft.