Deputies Arrest Merritt Island Man After Scooter Pursuit, Authorities Say
By Space Coast Daily // January 4, 2026
Message from Sheriff Wayne Ivey
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Everyone has heard the phrase, “New year, new me,” but for us, it’s a new year and our mottos aren’t changing — especially the one that says, “You can run, but you’re only going to jail tired.” That one isn’t going anywhere.
Just ask Mario Thomas. He learned exactly what that means last night.
Deputies were in the area of Minna Lane in Merritt Island when they saw Thomas involved in a hand-to-hand transaction. He left the area on his scooter — yes, a scooter — and deputies attempted a traffic stop. Thomas chose to flee, trying to “scoot” his way out of an arrest.
As you might expect, he crashed the scooter, then took off on foot. While running, he tossed a bag, but deputies recovered it — and caught up to Thomas.
From the look on his booking photo, Thomas definitely went to jail tired. To show what good sports we are, we gave him a ride in our Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge Courtesy Shuttle so he could rest before checking in and meeting his new friends.
Thomas was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence, and resisting without violence. On the bright side, he received a souvenir booking photo and a complimentary guest T-shirt that reads: “I Methed Around and Found Out in Brevard County.”
Like we said — it’s a new year, but the mottos remain the same. If you don’t know what they are, just mess around and find out.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey
