Vero Beach man high on flakka tries to break into jail, deputies say

Man drove vehicle into Indian River County jail, climbed fence

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies arrested a man who they say was high on flakka when he tried to break into Indian River County Jail overnight by driving his car into the jail and climbing the fence to get away from authorities.

Patrick Rempe, 24, faces several charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, felony criminal mischief, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and driving under the influence.

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Deputies said Rempe, of Vero Beach, rammed his 2002 Toyota into the front doors of building C at the jail, barely missing a deputy outside and shattering the glass on the doors. 

Rempe then drove into the fence outside of building E, damaged the fence and started climbing it before becoming entangled in razor wire, according to deputies.

Deputies said Rempe was removed from the fence and spat on one of the deputies before being taken to Indian River Medical Center for injures from the crash and the razor wire.

Rempe told deputies that he was high on flakka and that he wanted to visit friends in the jail.

 "This is what drugs do to you," Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a release. "Flakka is poisoning our youth. Fortunately, none of our deputies were injured and our facility wasn't compromised." 

Rempe remains under supervision at the hospital.