The word peculiar comes to mind when conjuring imagery of the sights and sounds found around the UF campus.
From live alligators to the infamous creatures, err preachers lurking in Turlington Plaza, a walk around the home of the Gator Nation can prove to be a real eye-opener.
The latest? An on-campus police chase involving a stolen vehicle seemingly straight out of "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City."
According to an article in The Gainesville Sun, the chase came to fruition at the Oaks Mall on Sunday afternoon when Gainesville Police Officer Jeff McAdams noticed the suspect behaving suspiciously in the parking lot. Auston T. Pearson, 19, drove off in a white Dodge Charger and exited the mall property by turning onto Southwest 62nd Boulevard. Following Pearson, McAdams learned the vehicle was stolen by running the license plate. McAdams attempted to pull over the individual.
And the pursuit began.
Realizing McAdams was closing in on him, Pearson ignored the officer's sirens and attempted to thwart his impending arrest by making a left onto Southwest 20th Avenue and eventually Southwest 34th Street.
After striking a car and making a series of U-turns on campus, Pearson's not-so-funny joy ride came to an end when he returned to Southwest 34th Street and crashed his vehicle into another car.
Arrested at the scene, Pearson somehow managed to avoid any bodily injury in both of the accidents he caused.
His criminal record, however, is in shambles as he faces a litany of charges ranging from fleeing and attempting to elude to driving without a valid license.
