Police Chase In Miami Ends In The Upper Keys

A police chase involving Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies on Tuesday, June 11th t that began in Miami and ended in the Upper Keys has ended in the arrest of a 50-year-old man who led them.

CBS Miami reports that Mark Edward Welch of Lake Worth had been involved in a hit-and-run collision before the chase. When Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and three other law enforcement agencies engaged in the chase ordered him to pull over, Welch refused and continued heading on U.S. Highway 1 toward the Keys.

At one point, Monroe Sheriff’s deputies employed the use of spike strips in an attempt to stop Welch at mile marker 108, but he continued, even while driving on flat tires. Welch did not stop his vehicle until he struck a concrete barrier.

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Welch stayed in his vehicle, refusing to obey the commands of Sheriff’s deputies who have their weapons drawn at the time. He was arrested shortly afterward. Deputies searched Welch’s vehicle and found a pipe with traces of cocaine within it.

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During police questioning, Welch told deputies that he had swallowed approximately 20 rocks of crack cocaine during the police chase. Welch was taken to the hospital in Tavernier for treatment. He was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies upon his release.

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Welch is currently facing several charges including hit-and-run, driving under the influence of drugs, attempting to elude police, possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia and other related charges.

Additional charges may be pending from the three other law enforcement agencies that took part in the chase.