Police: Driver sped away from officer in Homestead

A man is accused of fleeing police after an attempted traffic stop on May 22, police said. 

Hector M. Rodriguez, 34, was charged with unlawful flight, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and driving under the influence, police said. 

According to a probable cause statement, around 2 p.m. an officer attempted to stop a black Mitsubishi with an expired license plate after observing the driver run the stop sign at North Continental Boulevard and West Homestead Drive. 

Rodriguez was later identified as the driver, police said. 

The officer turned on his overhead lights, maneuvered around another vehicle at the stop sign and began to follow the Mitsubishi, police said.  

With the officer following, Rodriguez continued “driving at a high rate of speed” and gaining distance from the officer, the probable cause statement said. 

Police said Rodriguez drove into the opposing travel lane and about 100 feet of gravel near West Robbins Drive and continued to go northbound on North Homestead Drive. 

The officer turned on his sirens and followed Rodriguez through the subdivision for about 30 seconds before losing sight of the vehicle, police said. 

While in the area, a citizen waved down the officer to tell them that a woman had exited the Mitsubishi and ran toward a nearby greenbelt, police said. 

Police located the black Mitsubishi, with Rodriguez still behind the wheel, backed into a garage at a residence on West Parkhill Drive, according to the probable cause statement. 

Interviewed by police, Rodriguez allegedly admitted to driving but said he was obeying traffic laws. While officers were on the scene, the female who apparently exited the vehicle at the greenbelt arrived on foot and admitted Rodriguez was driving, police said.