FL Sheriff Chases After Suspect During Radio Interview

While he was about to go on air during a radio interview on a local talk show, Volusia County, FL, Sheriff Mike Chitwood found himself involved in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle Wednesday afternoon.

The hosts on Drew Gerabo Live were left speculating what was happening when they could not reach the sheriff. Minutes later Chitwood responded that he was OK and explained what happened.

“…FHP was chasing a car and I just happened to be at the next exit where this son of a bitch was coming,” Chitwood said.

The suspect was captured at the end of the pursuit, which involved Florida Highway Patrol, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, the City Of Edgewater Police Department, and the New Smyrna Beach Police Department. Chitwood said the suspect was armed with a firearm.

Sheriff Chitwood was on the talk show to discuss his remarks directed at an anti-semitic group operating in his jurisdiction. On Monday during a press conference about the activities of the group, Chitwood called its members “scumbags” and he was honored to receive death threats from them.

The suspect in the vehicle pursuit was identified Wednesday as 22-year-old Seth Potter, clickorlando.com reports.

Potter was booked into the Volusia County jail — where he is being held on no bond — and faces charges of reckless driving, failure to obey lawful orders, grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, resisting an officer without violence, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing/eluding law enforcement with sirens active, at high speeds, with disregard to the safety of other persons or property.