A Port St. John man stole a car and crashed into three other vehicles as he fled Wednesday, authorities said.

But 22-year-old Cody Vonploennies wasn't done causing trouble, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office said. After he was medically cleared at Rockledge Regional Medical Center, Vonploennies made an attempt to escape, his affidavits state. He was still handcuffed when he ran from a deputy and hospital security staff.

Vonploennies didn't get far. He was apprehended and taken to the Brevard County Jail. He remained there Friday in lieu of $12,000 bail on charges of escape, grand theft of a motor vehicle and three counts of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

The series of events started about noon Wednesday at Rydes by Rusty in the 5800 block of U.S. 1 in Port St. John. Witnesses told authorities Vonploennies, who lives in the 4700 block of Sugartown Street, Port St. John, was walking near the business and was behaving oddly.

Vonploennies began searching in cars at the business when he found a Chevrolet Impala with keys inside, the affidavits state. He drove out of the parking lot, sideswiping a Brevard County Fire Rescue ambulance and a pickup on his way out, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Vonploennies traveled south on U.S. 1, struck another pickup near Broadway Boulevard, and crashed into a tree on Broadway near Industrial Drive, FHP said.

Troopers said Vonploennies' license has been suspended since June 2017.

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Stancil is a breaking news reporter for FLORIDA TODAY and TCPalm.

Contact Stancil at 321-242-3662 or 321-987-7179

or lamaur.stancil@tcpalm.com.

Twitter: @TCPalmLStancil

