Key West The Newspaper

A Key West man faces numerous charges on numerous separate cases including operating a chop shop, burglary, grand theft, fleeing and eluding police and assaulting law enforcement officers.

The cases began to mount against 18 year old Adrian Diaz on February 8th, when a Key West Police detective asked the Sheriff’s Office to help transport Diaz to jail. He was being arrested by that agency at his residence on Verde Drive, Big Coppitt Key, on charges of burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. During the arrest, he resisted being handcuffed, fighting with officers and making threats toward them. He was additionally charged at that time with assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He spent three days in jail and was released on February 11th.

While at that residence, officers saw numerous scooters and scooter parts in the yard. Investigations revealed a number of the scooters to be stolen. Warrants were obtained and Diaz was arrested on February 16th and charged with two counts of vehicle theft and operating a chop shop. He was released from jail the following day.

While at the Diaz residence on February 8th, officers saw other property at the residence including two hover boards. Later that day, a woman who lives on Rockland Key reported two hover boards, seven spear guns and a charger for a go cart stolen from under her home. Officers who took the report remembered seeing the hover boards at Diaz’ residence when they arrested him. They returned to the Diaz residence and found the hover boards still there, along with the charger. The stolen spear guns were also found, in a shed on the Diaz property. A warrant was obtained for Diaz for grand theft.

On March 3rd, Key West Police asked for assistance. They were following a silver Nissan Versa being driven by Diaz. Diaz was a possible suspect in two reports of shots fired on March 2nd, on Seidenberg Avenue in Key West and on Big Coppitt Key. In both instances, a car fitting the description of the Versa was described by witnesses. Police had followed him to the triangle and Diaz was headed out of the city of Key West. They wanted assistance continuing to follow Diaz.

Deputy Austin Hopp responded. He began to follow Diaz, who was traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on the highway. Diaz turned onto Cross Street on Stock Island. He then made a number of evasive maneuvers around the Stock Island area, running stop signs and speeding in an effort to lose Deputy Hopp. Hopp turned on his lights and siren in an attempt to stop Diaz, who did not stop. Diaz turned north onto Highway U.S. One, fleeing from the deputy.

Deputy Hopp followed Diaz, who traveled north to the exit for NAS Boca Chica. He exited the highway and then re-emerged onto the highway traveling southbound, followed by the deputy. Diaz continued at a very high rate of speed; Deputy Hopp lost sight of him near the neighborhood of Key Haven. The Versa was later found in Key Haven, abandoned, with the key broken off in the ignition. Six grams of cocaine were found inside the car. Diaz was not found. A warrant was obtained for his arrest in the incident. Charges included reckless driving, fleeing and eluding police, driving with his license suspended, driving with no headlights, running numerous stop signs, driving the wrong way on the on-ramp for the naval air station and driving too fast for conditions. Possession of cocaine charges are pending.

On the night of March 6th, Diaz was found at his home on Verde Drive on Big Coppitt Key. He was arrested and charged with all of the outstanding warrants. He is currently being held at the Stock Island Detention Center. His bond is set at $25,000.00.