https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaSheriff/videos/1247254032811698/
By Sarah Calams
Police1
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An on-air radio interview quickly turned into an on-air pursuit as Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood pursued a stolen vehicle while being interviewed about his recent pushback against antisemitic groups.
Chitwood had been invited to speak on the Drew Garabo Live radio show about his comments following the display of antisemitic messages on the grandstand of the Daytona International Speedway, as well as on flyers passed out in Volusia County neighborhoods.
“I stand with my Jewish friends and I’m honored to be on your hit list,” Chitwood said during a press conference. “These scumbags came to the wrong county.”
But during his interview on the radio show, Chitwood had to shift gears and join a pursuit of a stolen vehicle on a highway. “I’m not even thinking twice that I’m live for the air and they’re listening to me calling out the pursuit,” Chitwood told ClickOrlando.com.
The hosts of the radio show seemed surprised at first, but soon ask Chitwood if he’s OK. “We’re good. We’re good. It was one of those things that FHP was chasing a car and I just happened to be at the next exit where this son-of-a-[expletive] was coming,” Chitwood said.
Chitwood then chuckled at a call he received from his PIO after the pursuit: “He said, ‘No. 1, are you OK? And No. 2, that entire time you were on there, you just broadcasted live in Tampa,’” he said. “It didn’t even dawn on me that I was broadcasting live. He was like, ‘Yeah. It was like an open mic.’”
The suspect, who was seen weaving in and out of traffic as troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, was arrested and faces a slew of charges, including traffic and theft charges. A firearm that had been reported stolen was recovered from the vehicle, according to the report.
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