A high-speed chase early this morning involving troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies — including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter — resulted in the arrest of seven motorcycle riders. The chase began on Alligator Alley and eventually ended in Fort Myers.
Arrested were Peter Olliviere, 30, of Lauderdale Lakes; Juan Cueto, 53, of Miami; Joseph Peric, 28, of Plantation; Craig Ellis, 31, of Lauderdale Lakes; Phillip Cummings, 22, of North Lauderdale; Chad Farokhnia, 20, of Lauderdale By The Sea; and Bradley Peric, 28, of Plantation.
According to a report from the FHP, all seven motorcyclists were charged with aggravated fleeing to allude, a second degree felony, and their motorcycles were seized pending forfeiture.
At 7:48 this morning, FHP Trooper Lauren Miller was conducting speed enforcement on Alligator Alley near the 90 mile marker in Collier County. According to a report, Miller obtained a radar clock on a group of motorcycles traveling northbound at 125 miles per hour.
As Miller attempted to stop the motorcycles, the report indicates they accelerated rapidly and began to flee. The trooper radioed ahead as the group of cyclists entered Lee County.
The report indicates that additional units responded to the area and five motorcyclists surrendered onto the shoulder of the road as they saw the flashing lights ahead. Two motorcycles continued to flee northbound, however.
Sgt. Mike Gideons then requested air support from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. As Cpl. George Kantor responded to the area, he was reportedly able to clock the motorcycles at 140 mph near the 136 mile marker.
A Lee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter spotted the motorcycles and began to track them. The motorcycles exited at the 138 mile marker and headed toward Fort Myers.
According to the FHP report, ground units began to back off and follow the direction of the pilot. Once the motorcyclists discovered they were being tracked by a helicopter they surrendered and were taken into custody on Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard north of State Road 80.
Olliviere, Cueto, Joseph Peric, Ellis and Cummings were transported to the Collier County Jail. Farokhnia and Bradley Peric were transported to the Lee County Jail.