Man Says He Fled Deputies Twice Because He Wanted To Go To Prison

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL — A 40-year-old Land O' Lakes man was arrested Monday after Pasco County Sheriff's deputies said he fled from deputies twice, driving at speeds of more than 100 mph, and then attacked a deputy at the Land O' Lakes Detention Center.

Shortly before midnight, a deputy attempted to pull over a Hyundai Elantra driven by Mike Clemente near Gall and Eiland boulevards in Zephyrhills. When Clemente refused to stop, the deputy activated the emergency lights on his cruiser. Clemente ran several red lights, driving about 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, before the deputy canceled the pursuit.

A short time later, Clemente was spotted near State Road 52 and Interstate 74 in San Antonio. Once again, deputies said Clemente fled when they attempted to pull him over, driving 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, eventually reaching speeds of more than 100 mph.

Deputies finally used stop sticks and a rolling road black to stop the Hyundai on State Road 52 just west of Emmus Cemetery Road.

While being booked into the detention center, deputies said Clemente became combative, refusing commands to sit down and threatening to fight deputies. In an attempt to subdue him, a deputy sprayed him with pepper spray. Clemente reacted by picking up a plastic chair and throwing it at the deputy, striking his arm. Deputies finally had to tackle him.

When questioned about his actions, Clemente told deputies that he wanted to go to prison for a while.