Florida Man Tries to Toast Deputies in the Middle of Police Pursuit

When deputies in Florida got the call about a petty theft, they likely weren’t expecting a toast. On April 19, 2025, law enforcement in Highlands County responded to a reported shoplifting incident. What they got instead was a surreal, drawn-out police chase complete with spike strips, flattened tires, and - perhaps most memorably - a suspect waving a Ketel One vodka spritzer out the window mid-pursuit.

What Happened in Highlands County?

According to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith of Miami became the center of an unusual - and at times baffling - high-speed chase that began outside the Spring Lake Market. Deputies were responding to a call about a man allegedly stealing items from the convenience store. By the time officers arrived, Smith was already circling the parking lot in a black minivan.

When authorities attempted to stop him, Smith sped off - but not before reaching out of the vehicle and offering a chilled canned cocktail to the pursuing deputy. “I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it,” he reportedly said as he kept driving, according to the New York Post.

The pursuit continued for several miles and escalated in both danger and absurdity. Smith allegedly attempted to ram two patrol vehicles. Deputies deployed spike strips that successfully deflated all four of the minivan’s tires, but that still wasn’t enough to bring the bizarre chase to an end.

When the Wheels Fall Off - Literally

The chase concluded in the parking lot of the Sebring Regional Airport, where bodycam footage captured Smith exiting the minivan, cigarette in hand, casually trying to walk away. He ignored repeated commands to surrender and was ultimately tased by deputies.

According to the New York Post, once handcuffed, Smith allegedly looked up at deputies and asked, “You guys had fun, though, right?”

According to the sheriff’s office, this one’s going in the books. “We would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has been offered a vodka spritzer by their suspect in the middle of a vehicle pursuit,” officials posted on Facebook, according to VICE.

Charges and Next Steps

Smith now reportedly faces multiple charges, including:

• Two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer
• Battery on a law enforcement officer
• Two counts of resisting arrest
• Driving under the influence
• Refusal to submit to a DUI test
• Petit theft

He remains in custody on a $120,000 bond as the case continues.

Beyond the Laughs

While the absurdity of offering a vodka spritzer to police during a chase might spark online snickers, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks officers face - and how unpredictable their daily calls can become. No one was seriously injured during the pursuit, but the allegations are serious, and the investigation remains ongoing.

For now, Florida lives up to its unpredictable reputation - one bizarre high-speed toast at a time.

References: Man Who Led Police on Car Chase Offers Deputies a Vodka Spritzer | Man Offered Cops a Vodka Spritzer During High-Speed Chase | Florida Man Offers Police Booze During Car Chase