Deputies have arrested a wrong-way motorcyclist after he ran from them on Wednesday on I-4 near McIntosh Rd.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, it was shortly after 3 p.m. when a citizen reported seeing a black male riding a motorcycle westbound in the eastbound emergency lane of I-4 near McIntosh Rd. Immediately, Deputies and Aviation responded to look for the subject.
Aviation spotted a black male riding westbound in the westbound lanes of I-4 and observed the subject as he matched the limited description provided by the caller. As they continued to follow, the motorcycle then traveled southbound on I-75 and exited at SR-60.
Deputies spotted the motorcycle and made contact with the subject, identified as 22-year-old Corey Lavon Johnson, Jr. of Lakeland, in the area of Barnes and Noble in the Brandon Town Center.
Johnson told deputies he was traveling the wrong way on I-4 to look for the rear portion of his seat that blew off.
Deputies asked Johnson to turn the motorcycle off and step off, but he instead fled. At that point, aviation was still overhead and followed the motorcycle to a Citgo station at Adamo Dr. and Wayne Pl.
Johnson entered the store and purchased another t-shirt as deputies arrived and secured the motorcycle. After walking outside and noticing the arrival of HCSO units he fled on foot.
Aviation provided direction to the ground units as Johnson jumped numerous fences. Eventually, he arrived back at Adamo Dr. where he frantically tried to wave down eastbound drivers. A truck stopped and Johnson offered the driver money for a ride.
The driver refused recognizing something was wrong. Johnson then opened the truck door and physically tried to pull the driver from the truck. The driver, with the assistance of his passenger, was able to fight off Johnson who again fled on foot as deputies approached.
A citizen observed the activity and assisted deputies with the apprehension of Johnson.
The motorcycle owner responded from Lakeland and no charges will be brought against Johnson for his possession of the motorcycle.
Johnson is being charged with Fleeing to Elude, Driving with License Canceled, Suspended or Revoked, Resisting an Officer Without Violence (x2), Carjacking and Battery.
