Man leads Marco Island police on 2-hour chase after traffic stop, arrested at work

A man sent Marco Island police in pursuit after fleeing a traffic stop on foot Monday. After a two-hour search, officers ended the manhunt. According to the Marco Island Police Department, Alain Velasques, 21, was speeding near Jolley Bridge when an officer initiated a traffic stop. Velasques slowed down and turned on his hazard lights. However, instead of stopping, he got out of the car on North Barfield Drive and ran. Police said the car was not fully parked so it rolled into a mailbox. The officer pursued him and established a perimeter using emergency and patrol cars. They also asked the Collier County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units. Police say they searched the area for two hours, without success. The car was towed from the scene. The police department says several open containers were on the passenger seat and in the cup holder. Officers could also smell marijuana coming from the car, but none was found inside. Inside the car, officers found a pay stub for Carlos Perez, which detectives later discovered was Velasques. Detectives learned that “Perez” worked as a line cook at La Mesa Taqueria restaurant along Collier Boulevard. The detective watched video of the scene and recognized the man who had fled from police. He then clarified that his real name was Alain Velasques and not Carlos Perez. Velasques was arrested and faces charges of fleeing, eluding law enforcement and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.