Will Greenlee

will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

STUART — Just so you know, driving to get bail money for yourself is not a valid reason to flee the police.

But that evidently didn’t stop Robert Dupree, 56, from giving it a try on Feb. 22, according to an arrest affidavit.

Stuart police say he lead them on a circuitous route – even using turn signals – before stopping.

Police learned of Dupree after a woman at an extended stay hotel in the 1900 block of Southeast Federal Highway called and reported Dupree refused to leave. Before an officer arrived, she called back and said Dupree had left.

About 15 minutes later, she phoned police again. This time she said Dupree returned and busted the window to her room.

She said he left in a white Chrevrolet pickup truck with tool boxes in the bed.

Police followed the truck on streets near downtown Stuart, then over the Roosevelt Bridge. He used turn signals as an officer followed, eventually stopping at Wright Boulevard and Dixie Highway.

Investigators reported finding an open beer bottle and a small amount of marijuana in the truck.

Dupree told police he left after arguing with the woman. He returned and they again argued. He said he broke the window because the woman “closed him out in a ‘(expletive) you’ manner.”

He said he realized an officer was behind him trying to stop him.

“I asked why he did not stop and he told me that he wanted to get home to get bond money for breaking the window,” an affidavit states. “I explained to him that his not stopping made the situation worse.”

It could be said the situation did not improve after police noticed Dupree smelled of booze and after he said he had two cocktails at lunch.

Dupree, of Jensen Beach, was arrested on charges including criminal mischief, fleeing and attempting to elude, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI.