A man is behind bars after, police said, he was caught on video slashing the front and rear tires of a Surfside Police cruiser in the parking lot of a Miami Beach hospital.
According to Miami Beach Police, 35-year-old Marcus Covington was seen on hospital surveillance video walking the parking lot of Mount Sinai Medical Center, Tuesday afternoon.
Video captures the suspect approaching the police cruiser, leaning toward the left rear tire before moving to the front left tire, and then walking away toward the parking lot overhang.
Seconds later, the police cruiser pivots to its left side as both tires are completely deflated.
“According to the surveillance video, he approached the vehicle, slashed two tires, the front and rear, prior to fleeing the scene,” said Miami Beach Police Spokesperson Christopher Bess.
The Surfside Police officer assigned to the cruiser received a notification on his phone that two tires were low on air as he was inside the hospital with an arrestee.
Body camera footage captures police officers inspecting the damaged tires.
“A slash here and over there,” said an officer.
Miami Beach Police sent out a “be on the lookout” alert for Covington over police radio. Moments later, an MBPD captain spotted him on the Julia Tuttle Causeway and took him into custody.
“Can you put your hands up for me,” said an officer.
“For what?” said Covington.
Detectives said that following Covington’s arrest, they discovered a loaded gun, knife and pepper spray canister on his person. Inside a satchel, he had two additional loaded guns, ammunition and a flashlight.
While being placed under arrest, Covington could be heard shouting at police.
“Get your hands off my neck, NOW!” he yelled.
Before being put in the back of an officer’s cruiser, body camera footage shows Covington flashing a smile.
“This was a very brazen and dangerous individual,” said Bess.
Surfside Police said they are grateful for Miami Beach Police’s quick actions in capturing Covington.
Covington faces several charges, including criminal mischief.
The suspect appeared in bond court on Wednesday where a judge gave him a $6,000 bond. He remains behind bars.
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