Man accused of leading Lee County deputies on chase through woods with children inside vehicle

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

A traffic stop on Sunday afternoon turned into an off-road chase through the woods in Suncoast Estates in Lee County.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, deputies tried to stop the driver for not wearing a seatbelt and driving a vehicle without a visible license plate.

Deputies said the driver, later identified as Thomas Wehrung III, 28, accelerated and led them into a wooded area.

LCSO used a drone to track the Jeep Grand Cherokee from the air and work with road deputies to apprehend Wehrung.

According to the sheriff's office, Wehrung claimed he was off-roading with his family and had no idea that he was being pulled over. LCSO said three children, all below the age of five, were in the vehicle during the incident.

Wehrung was arrested and is facing charges of fleeing and eluding law enforcement and child neglect. The sheriff's office said Wehrung has been arrested multiple times in Lee County for various motor vehicle and probation violations.

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