Police: 2 triggered 4-mile chase
RIVIERA BEACH — A man reportedly smirked at police while he pointed a gun at them Wednesday morning, city police records state.
That man, 32 -ye a r- ol d Frankie Laine Alexander, and 20-year-old Jlyn Wright led police on a four-mile chase that ended in the arrest of both men.
The men told police they were looking for a friend near a gas station on Old Dixie Highway when they noticed a car following them. Police riding in an unmarked car say they saw the stolen white Lexus the two were in being driven recklessly on West Fifth Street.
About four blocks from where officers spotted the Lexus, Alexander stopped the car, and he and Wright switched seats, records state.
Police attempted a traffic stop with a flashing light while the men were out of the car.
A l e x a n d e r r e p o r t e d l y reached into the passenger side of the Lexus and grabbed a gun. Later he told police he thought it was a BB gun.
According to police, Alexander raised the gun at a “low ready” position and smirked. The three officers repeatedly yelled “Police, drop the gun!” records state.
Police say Alexander continued to raise the gun, then looked over at Wright, who was in the driver’s seat of the Lexus. Alexander then jumped into the passenger seat and they sped off.
Al ex a nder a nd Wright said they fled because they saw three masked subjects point guns at them. Alexander denied pointing a gun at anyone.
The two men also denied knowing the people were police officers.
Police say Wright weaved in and out of traffic at about 90 mph on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. At the intersection with North Milit ar y Trail, Wright drove t h r o u g h a r e d l i g h t a n d crashed into a southbound vehicle about four miles from where the pursuit began.
No one was injured in the wreck, according to police.
Both men ran from the car, police said. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses shows the men running. In one video, Alexander appears to ditch a gun in some bushes, where police recovered a Glock 21 handgun. He was detained nearby.
Wright was taken into custody at Edward J. Healy Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Blue Heron Boulevard.
Wright faces charges of car theft, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and resisting arrest. Alexander faces three counts of assault on an officer and one count of car theft. Both men also face charges of possessing a weapon as a convicted felon.
State records show Alexander served a year in prison for possessing cocaine. He was released in October.
Wright on Friday morning was being held in the Palm Beach County Jail on a $75,250 bond. Alexander is being held without bond.