MELBOURNE, Florida — At approximately 8:22 p.m. Sunday night, Melbourne police responded to 1677 Sarno Road in Melbourne for a report of an armed disturbance where 34-year-old Michael Andrew Wease allegedly cut his father with a knife.
Before officers could arrive on scene, police say Wease then forcibly stole his grandmother’s 2010 Ford Focus and fled from the residence. Wease allegedly told family members he would flee from police, would not go back to prison, and hinted to threats of bodily harm to himself and/or others.
West Melbourne Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office were also notified in attempts to locate Wease. Wease later made telephone contact with the family and an officer on scene, advising he was coming back to the residence.
In fear that the suspect was returning to harm other family members, officers and deputies strategically positioned themselves in Wease’s likely avenue of travel. The vehicle was then observed exiting I-95 southbound making a left hand turn, eastbound on to Eau Gallie Boulevard.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle but Wease refused to stop for police and “Stop Sticks” were deployed, striking one of the tires on the Focus. Wease continued to flee from police as the tire deflated.
As Wease approached his residence, the Focus left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Wease sustained non-life threatening injuries from the crash and was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and medical treatment.
Wease was placed under arrest and charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, carjacking, fleeing and eluding police with disregard to safety of others, and driving while license suspended.
Wease will be turned over to the Brevard County Jail in Sharpes upon medical clearance.