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Stolen Car Crashes Check Point At Port Everglades

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(CBS4)

(CBS4)

PORT EVERGLADES (CBS4) — A man who blew through a Port Everglades checkpoint was taken into custody after a chase involving a Broward Sheriff’s deputy came to a crashing end.

According to BSO spokeswoman Dani Moschella, 20-year old Jackson Tiger Richardson ran a checkpoint just before 6 a.m. in a late model red Dodge Challenger.

“At that point we have a deputy that’s stationed right inside the checkpoint, (he) witnesses the security breach and immediately takes off after the vehicle,” said Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti.

The pursuit came to a crashing end when Sgt. Joe Fitzpatrick’s cruiser deputy careened into the Challenger near cruise ship terminal 21, about a mile from the port’s main entrance.

“The sergeant smartly and bravely rammed his vehicle to stop that vehicle and the threat,” said Moschella.

Both Fitzpatrick and Richardson were taken to Broward General Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries.

America’s ports and airports are on a heightened alert after U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

“Our personnel here at the port is always at a heightened state of awareness, they’re always vigilant, everything worked as it should have,” said Moschella. “When the man came through that gate they immediately started pursuit and they immediately stopped him.”

 Stolen Car Crashes Check Point At Port Everglades

Jackson Richardson (Source: Broward Sheriff's Office)

Moscella said Richardson actually crashed two security gates before he was stopped.

“So at that point the vehicle actually makes access onto the dock where the cruise ship is getting ready to pull in,” said Lamberti.

The  Coral Princess cruise ship, which was supposed to dock at terminal 22, was moved to terminal 29.

“I have to tell you, if this incident would have happened last week this would have ended very differently probably fatally,” said Lamberti.

That’s because last week was Fleet Week and the docks were filled with thousands of sailors and dozens of ships.

Once Richardson was stopped, the car was searched for weapons and explosives – none was found. The car itself, however, came as being stolen from Jovanni Spencer of Miramar.

As to why he crashed the gates, Moschella said they are still trying to figure that out.

“We don’t know where he was headed or what his goal was,” said Moschella.

Richardson was charged with fleeing a law enforcement officer, trespassing and possession of a stolen vehicle.

View Comments
  • Phil Landers

    That’s not a Charger, it’s a Challenger. 4doors vs 2 doors. If it’s an SRT8 it weighs 4125 lbs curb weight and can’t outrun anything involving a turn. Where did the chase start? When you say main entrance do you mean the state rd 84 / Spangler dr entrance? Because I heard this occurred on Eller dr and that is the south / 595 entrance. (You would think I’m nearly omnipotent by now would you not?)

    • Bubbawubba Gump

      That or you have way too much time on your hands;)

      • Phil Landers

        Doubtful considering I work between 55 and 60 hrs a week. With what little time I can manage to do so I spend learning about the world around me. (plus I work in the port and have a fast car so I’m up on the competition)

  • Tim3500

    Are you sure its not 4126 lbs?

    • Phil Landers

      Actually it’s 4140 if you really wanna get picky.

      • Anal Chapstick

        Is that with a full or empty fuel tank?

      • Phil Landers

        That’s the “With a bag of Taco Bell on the passenger seat” weight. With those big goofy rims that car is heavier still. BSO bought 6 Challengers as chase cars. Can you imagine how much they must weigh after they put all that additional equipment on them? Makes no difference, nothing in that class is gonna be able to touch the new 302 Boss Mustang when it hits the streets. Not that they can touch the GT now dollar for dollar. No, I don’t own a Ford.

  • angry security officer

    i work at the port and was at the checkpoint where everything went down. im the security that helped notifiied the port of this incident and radioed the port to be shut down. it happend on state road 84 checkpoint and i recevied no credit for my role

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