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By Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a dramatic turn of events, 52-year-old Jeffrey David Emminger found himself under arrest after allegedly speeding away at over 80 mph. This occurred following a police officer’s warning that he would face arrest if he attempted to bypass law enforcement to reach his home for his cat.
The incident unfolded around 6:19 p.m. on April 19, when Emminger reportedly tried to access a road blocked due to the State Road 121 fire. According to reports, Emminger informed an officer of his intention to navigate around the blockade to retrieve his pet cat from home. Despite receiving a final warning from the officer that such an action would lead to arrest, Emminger allegedly declared that the officer would have to apprehend him after he saved his cat.
Witnesses reported that Emminger accelerated past several officers and their marked patrol vehicles. Although one officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Emminger allegedly continued to speed past additional marked patrol units, reaching speeds over 80 mph. He reportedly maneuvered around fire trucks and even drove over water hoses actively being used by firefighters.
Emminger’s journey concluded at his residence, where law enforcement took him into custody without further incident.
Post Miranda, Emminger reportedly said he ignored instructions from law enforcement because he wanted to rescue his cat; he admitted that what he did was unsafe.
Emminger has been charged with fleeing from law enforcement with lights and sirens active (a felony), resisting an officer without violence, and failing to obey a police or fire department official. He has no criminal history, and Judge Joy Danne ordered him released on his own recognizance.
At today’s press conference, Gainesville Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Hillhouse said, “We had a lot of concern about people that were worried about trying to get back into an area that we evacuated to get their pets. GFR is not going to be abandoning that area without doing that, so that’s not something that people potentially have to worry about.”
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.