A police chase that began early Tuesday morning in North Port ended with a crash into a home and arrest in Charlotte County.
According to Nort Port Police Department, officers attempted to stop a driver suspected of driving under the influence, but the driver sped away before crashing into a garage on Lakeshore Circle.
The suspect then ran from the scene before being caught along US-41.
According to NPPD, the driver, identified as Merald Onyemaechi, 25, refused to pull over around 3:30 a.m., leading officers on a high-speed chase.
After crashing, he ran away, prompting a search with assistance from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Officers arrested him a short time later.
Gulf Coast News crews on the scene spoke with the homeowner along Lake Shor Circle. She told crews that she was woken up by the car crashing into her home.
One of the homeowner's trucks has damage to it, plus minor damage to the garage and the screening, with some broken glass on the ground.
Police said Onyemaechi, a convicted felon currently on probation for home invasion robbery with a firearm, was found with a gun and ammunition in his vehicle.
He was booked into the Charlotte County Jail and faces multiple charges, including driving with a suspended license, obstruction without violence, fleeing to elude, DUI with property damage, and felon in possession of a firearm.
"While it was a hectic and dangerous situation, we are thankful that good police work resulted in taking this individual off the street. We are also thankful that nobody was hurt," said North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
