Sebring, United States - April 19, 2025 [Note: video contains subtitles] A suspected alcohol thief led Highlands County deputies on a wild chase over the weekend. It began just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, when employees at the Spring Lake Market in Sebring called 911. They reported that someone had stolen several alcoholic beverages and walked out. Deputies found the suspect, Richard Christopher Smith, 39, of Miami, driving in circles around the store in a black minivan. Smith sped off after spotting authorities but not before offering them a drink. Body cam video showed Smith holding a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out of his window and yelling, “I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it.” The sheriff’s office joked, “We don’t know if he was expecting us to just say ‘Cheers!’ and let him go, or what.” The pursuit lasted several miles. All four of Smith’s tires were flattened by spike strips, and he crashed near the Sebring Airport. Officials said Smith tried to ram two patrol vehicles just before crashing. After the crash, Smith calmly exited the van smoking a cigarette and tried to walk away. Authorities said he was eventually tased and taken into custody. In the video, Smith asked a deputy, “What am I under arrest for?” The deputy replied, “A lot of stupid s*** right now.” Smith faces several charges, including two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test, and petit theft. His bond was set at $120,000. The sheriff’s office added, “Strange things happen all the time when you’re in law enforcement. This one, however, might make the books.”