Man takes car for test drive, leads deputies on a high-speed chase

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A man is behind bars after St. Johns County Sheriff's deputies said he led them on a high-speed chase. In a car he had taken for a test drive, and then tried getting away by hopping in a canoe.

Richard Bankston, who lives next door to where the car was taken, said he witnessed the entire incident.

“A gentleman pulled up in an identical car but it was black and said he wanted to buy a white one. He saw the car sitting here and asked Bill if he could take it for test ride,” Bankston said.

Bankston said Mark Mastromarino told the owner he would only drive up the road for about 10 minutes. But two hours later he had yet to return in the white Mustang.

That’s when they called deputies to report the car stolen. Deputies told the owner they had already made contact with Mastromarino after several people reported him driving recklessly. Deputies said they caught Mastromarino driving more than two times the speed limit.

“We were surprised that the car would do 100 mph,” Bankston said.

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The chaos didn’t end there though, deputies said Mastromarino drove through several yards and struck two police cars while trying to escape. Deputies said he caused thousands of dollars' worth of damage.

Next, deputies said he got stuck in a field, jumped out of the car and ran to the water nearby, trying to escape in a canoe. He was finally arrested after a standoff.

Mastromarino allegedly had marijuana in his possession, and now faces nine charges. Deputies said the majority of those charges are felonies.

Cox Media Group