Watch Crazy Chase as Fla. Troopers Stop Stolen SUV with PIT Maneuver

Aug. 16, 2024

The Florida Highway Patrol needed to execute two PIT maneuvers to finally stop a driver in a stolen vehicle as he weaved in and out of traffic and led troopers on a high-speed pursuit

Joe Vince

Florida police were caught in a frantic high-speed chase with the driver of a stolen SUV over the weekend that ended when a PIT maneuver spun out and put the vehicle on its side.

The pursuit happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. in Miami Beach, WPLG-TV reports. Police contacted the Florida Highway Patrol to help stop a stolen Toyota Rav 4.

The driver of the vehicle—identified as Savalas Cigar, 31—tried to elude authorities, and a chase ensued. Troopers tried using a PIT maneuver to stop the SUV, but Cigar was able to straighten out the vehicle and continuing driving following the controlled ollision.

Dashboard camera footage captured Cigar weaving in and out of traffic at a high speed as he fled. Finally, a trooper was able to execute a second PIT maneuver, which caused the vehicle to spin out and then overturn.

Cigar was taken to the hospital before being arrested. He's charged with grand theft of a vehicle, attempting to flee or elude police officers while causing injury or damage during a crash and driving without a license.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.