Florida Man Attempts Clean Getaway From Police In McDonald’s Dumpster

McDonald's Dumpster? Seems like a great place to visit. Here we go on another jaw-dropping adventure from the Sunshine state. Meet today's Florida man, Danilo Melendez Jr. He's a guy who believes that a homemade wagon, some prescription pills, and a McDonald's Dumster make for the ultimate escape plan.

According to Fox 35, it all begins with Melendez, riding his bicycle around in Avon Park, Florida. Seems pretty ordinary, right? Wrong! What caught the eye of the ever-vigilant deputies was Melendez's bike, which had no lights or reflectors, and his suspicious homemade wagon in tow. It's like he was practically begging for a spotlight moment.

The deputies, never ones to shy away from a bit of detective work, unleash their trusty K-9 unit on the scene. The furry detective promptly sniffs around Melendez's wagon and signals to the deputies, "Hey, we've got ourselves a real mystery here!"

Now, Melendez, in a stroke of sheer genius, decides to play it cool. He insists that the wagon contains nothing more than harmless tools. I mean, you can't blame a guy for trying, right? But the deputies were not so easily fooled. They cracked open the mysterious wagon and what did they find? Prescription pills, a hint of fentanyl, and a syringe. Yikes.

But Melendez is no pushover. In a daring move, he bolts from the scene, leaving the deputies amazed at his audacity. Where did he try and hide? Well, in true Florida Man style, he went for the cozy comforts of a McDonald's Dumpster. Great job. Also gross. Because nothing screams "Clean Getaway" like jumping into a trash bin behind a fast-food joint, right?

As you might have guessed, this thriller concludes with Melendez being discovered in the trash compactor and promptly escorted to the Highlands County Detention Center. Bravo, Florida Man. You're the master of bizarre getaways.

I understand the headline is quite lengthy, but it was needed to really tell the story. 22-year-old Stephen Peterson of Port Orange and 20-year-old Victoria Averill had quite an adventure before it all ended at the Flagler County Landfill.

It all started on June 21st in Flagler Beach, Florida when our Florida Man and his accomplice drove through the intersection of State Road 100 East and Old Kings Road South and strike multiple vehicles. That's just off I95 near the Popeye's. The SUV then continued south on Old Kings Road at a high rate of speed. The incident was spotted by a  MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife officer who then attempted to stop the vehicle. The FWC officer activated his emergency lights and siren but the vehicle did not stop. Does the FWC even have authority to pull over vehicles? I'm not sure. Anyway...

Then, according to Flagler County Sheriff "The vehicle entered the property of Old Kings Elementary School and drove around the running track before exiting the school and continuing to flee down Old Kings Road. The vehicle then entered the Flagler County Landfill and into the wooded area between the landfill and I-95." And that's where things went wrong.

Flagler County Fire Rescue Fireflight, which is the fire department's helicopter, monitored the vehicle's location and directed deputies to the vehicles location. The vehicle had run into and become stuck on a concrete barrier. This next line, sums it up nicely. "The male was naked except for a small covering wrapped around his waist and socks. It is unknown why the male was not wearing more clothing."

From the FCSO "Peterson was arrested for Fleeing and Eluding, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Damage to Vehicle or Property, Resisting an Officer without Violence, Trespassing on School Grounds, Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment. Averill was arrested for Trespassing on School Grounds, Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment. Peterson is being held on $19,500 bond and Averill is being held on $3,000 bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility."