Florida the rules are different here Chapter LI

Some news from Vero Beach. How does a prisoner with shackles on commandeer a van and drive off? What were the deputy(or deputies) doing or not doing that allowed Mr. Castro-Mesto to get away with some of his fellow prisoners? It all began at a gas station, was the deputy inside buying some twinkies?

I'll give this criminal some credit for his audacity. If not for his criminal record, Mr. Castro-Mesto certainly could be a future bus driver. Palm Beach County is going to need them soon.

Don't you just love Florida?

Linked to- Bullwinkle Blog, Bright & Early, Jo's Cafe,

VERO BEACH -- An inmate being extradited from Miami to Seminole County took a joyride this morning in Vero Beach after he hijacked the van he was being transported in and drove away with three other prisoners inside, officials allege.

But Alexis J. Castro-Mesto didn't get far before a swarm of Indian River County sheriff's deputies caught up with the van and eventually recaptured him.

Castro-Mesto, 28, of Orlando, was arrested shortly after the 8:45 a.m. incident and charged locally with escape and grand theft auto. He was arrested Sunday in Miami on a warrant from Seminole County and was being transported to Altamonte Springs to face a burglary charge he failed to appear on in court, according to state records.

The other inmates in the van, whose names were not released but were also being extradited, did not receive additional charges because officials said they didn't participate in the event.

Officials have not released how Castro-Mesto, who was shackled along with the other inmates, was able to get from the back of the van to the driver's seat, but initial reports indicate the incident happened at a gas station on State Road 60 near Interstate 95.

Castro-Mesto drove east on S.R. 60 and turned south on 82nd Avenue before letting the other inmates out of the van, according to Deputy Jeff Luther. The prisoners turned themselves in at a business, and deputies caught up to the van near the 2700 block of Oslo Road.

They eventually stopped him near the 400 block of 58th Avenue and were able to make the arrest without further incident, Luther said.