Authorities tracked the Fort Pierce man through neighborhoods, dense woods and swamp before taking him into custody after about two hours.
PALM CITY, FL — A 39-year-old Fort Pierce man was arrested after authorities said he fled a Palm City crash and led officers on a two-hour search through residential areas, dense brush and swamp near the Martin-St. Lucie county line.
Likenson Daceus was arrested Aug. 26 following a search involving the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Port St. Lucie Police Department. Authorities used road patrol units, K-9 teams, aviation support and drones as they searched areas near Southwest Rivers End Way, Murphy Road and the Windstone community.
The incident began after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission alerted the sheriff’s office about a man authorities suspected of stealing palmetto berries from the Savannah Preserve, according to WPTV’s reporting based on law enforcement information. A Martin County deputy later spotted the vehicle in Palm City and tried to conduct a traffic stop, but authorities said the driver fled.
Investigators said Daceus then crashed head-on into another vehicle. WPTV reported that the other driver suffered minor injuries. A police report cited by the station also said a juvenile was left inside Daceus’ vehicle when he got out and ran. Officials have not publicly released additional information about the juvenile.
The search intensified around 4 p.m. after Daceus was last seen running west toward the Windstone community, according to law enforcement accounts. Residents were warned during the search not to approach the suspect. Officers established perimeters around nearby residential areas while teams searched from the ground and air.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said deputies received help from neighbors who pointed them toward the area where the fleeing man had last been seen. K-9 teams picked up a track and authorities found a hat while following the route through yards, dense woods and eventually into swamp terrain, Budensiek said.
The search involved deputies, detectives, K-9 units, a helicopter and drones, along with officers from the state wildlife agency and Port St. Lucie police. Authorities also established land and water perimeters as officers moved through the natural areas separating neighborhoods near the Martin-St. Lucie county line.
About two hours after the search began, officers found Daceus in a large swamp and took him into custody. Jail information cited by Treasure Coast Newspapers listed charges of failing to stop and remain at a crash involving serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, fleeing with disregard for the safety of people or property and obstructing without violence. The charges are allegations, and Daceus has not been convicted in connection with the case.
Budensiek said authorities believed the suspect posed a potential danger while trying to escape. A Windstone-area resident interviewed by WPTV said she locked her doors during the search and was relieved when authorities announced an arrest. No additional injuries during the manhunt were reported in the accounts reviewed.
Daceus remained in the Martin County Jail without bail as of Aug. 27, according to jail information cited by Treasure Coast Newspapers. Authorities had not publicly announced additional charges or a court outcome by early Aug. 28, and the investigation into the crash and events leading to the pursuit remained active.
Author note: Last updated Aug. 28, 2026.