Man Breaks Into Port of Pensacola, Rams Fence to Escape, Caught Within Half Block

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A man who broke into the Port of Pensacola was quickly arrested after stealing a vehicle inside the facility and ramming a fence to escape.

Pensacola Police Department Public Information Officer Mike Wood said the man jumped the fence to enter the port but injured himself in the process. Police do not know why he entered the secured facility, and nothing was stolen.

"He realized that he's trapped in there now, he doesn't want to go back out the same way he came in because it caused injury," Wood said. "So he found a vehicle that was inside the port, he was able to start that vehicle and ram a fence with it, pretty close to where he got in the first time, and was able to escape, only for about a half a block."

Officers apprehended the suspect before he could reach Main Street.

Wood credited the quick arrest to a combination of good police work, port security, and fast response from the patrol division.

The Port of Pensacola is a secured facility that requires a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC card, for access. Wood compared breaking into the port to attempting to breach an airport or military installation.

"They're very well secured and you might as well try breaking in the county jail when you're doing something like that," Wood said. "It's not a good idea."

The suspect faces multiple charges.