Fleeing suspect arrested

A 53-year-old Sugarloaf Key, Florida man was arrested Wednesday for throwing rocks at residents and resisting arrest. There were no serious injuries reported.

Joseph Aaron McNeal was charged with assault and resisting arrest.

The Sheriff’s Office was called to Driftwood Lane at approximately 8:30 p.m. following reports of a suspicious man, later identified as McNeal, running through the area and throwing rocks at residents. McNeal fled, jumped over a fence, ran through an adjacent property, jumped into a canal, and attempted to hide near a boat when the Sheriff’s Office arrived.

McNeal refused to exit the water, refused to stand on his feet thereafter, and did not allow the Sheriff’s Office to place him in handcuffs. He was subsequently pepper sprayed and taken into custody.