Florida Suspect Offers Deputy Vodka Spritzer During Car Chase

A Florida man was captured on video offering a sheriff’s deputy a vodka spritzer as he was leading law enforcement on a chase after allegedly stealing items including alcoholic beverages from a convenience store. 

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of a theft from Spring Lake Market in Sebring shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday. The store reported that a man had stolen several items, including alcoholic beverages. While deputies were en route, they were informed that the suspect was driving a black minivan in circles around the store.

When deputies arrived, the suspect fled, prompting a pursuit. A video shared by the sheriff’s office shows a deputy ordering the suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith of Miami, to stop. Instead, Smith slows down and holds a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out the window, offering the deputy a drink.

“I was just gonna give you a drink, that’s it,” Smith says before continuing to drive away.

“We dont know if he was expecting us to just say ‘Cheers!’ and let him go, or what,” the sheriff’s office said.

Smith allegedly tried to ram two patrol vehicles before he was eventually stopped by spike strips. Despite being surrounded by deputies, Smith could be seen in the video casually exiting the vehicle while smoking a cigarette and walking toward deputies before he was Tased.

As he was being arrested, Smith asked deputies, “You guys had fun though, right?”

“Strange things happen all the time when youre in law enforcement. This one, however, might make the books,” the sheriff’s office said.

Smith was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test and petit theft. His bond was set at $120,000.