Caught on camera: Deputy's car crashes into Lehigh Acres barbershop during high speed chase

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A barbershop was caught in the middle of a high-speed chase that ended with a deputy crashing into the business.

The chase happened Tuesday night after Lee County Sheriff's Deputies tried to stop a driver, Christian Cintron, who was going the wrong way on Palm Beach Boulevard.

According to the arrest report, Cintron reached speeds between 80 and 100 miles per hour and was weaving in and out of traffic, nearly hitting several vehicles.

Deputies tracked Cintron by helicopter before the chase ended when a deputy's cruiser crashed into a barbershop in the area.

The whole thing was caught on the Da Shop of Hair Design's security camera.

Manager Joel Garcia said he never expected something like this to happen at his business.

"When people turn around on this plaza, some of them are like a little bit reckless when they turn. I've been thinking one of these days someone is gonna get inside the barber shop, but I wouldn't I wouldn't think that it was gonna be a deputy the one that did that," Garcia said.

Garcia also noted the difference between how the suspect and the deputy stopped their vehicles.

"You can tell on the foot is the suspect he parked decent, so he didn't make a mistake on the parking stuff. So I guess the deputy only did the mistake by forgetting how to park the car or stopping it," Garcia said.

The crash left the business dealing with costly damage.

"Those frames and glasses and everything that everything is custom. So, you know, when you do something custom, it must be a lot of money," Garcia said.

Retired Collier County Sheriff's Office Deputy Tom Storrar said law enforcement officers are trained to weigh the risks during any pursuit.

"Is there danger to the public by continuing this pursuit? Is it really worth it?" Storrar said.

Storrar also explained a technique officers use to end chases safely.

"They literally spin the vehicle around, and generally there's other vehicles that are close by that can put it at an angle to where if someone does come out and start shooting, you've got protection," Storrar said.

Officials say decisions about when to stop a pursuit depend on the agency, the crime and the danger to the public.

For anyone on the road during a high-speed chase, officials say the best move is to stay alert, slow down and give emergency vehicles room to pass.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office told WINK News that they will work to cover repairs at the barber shop.