Nuisance FL Algae Credited For Helping Catch Fleeing Cape Coral Drug Suspect

CAPE CORAL, FL. (THECOUNT) — The Algae plaguing Southwest Florida waterways this summer has no one singing its praises, that is until it was credited with helping police apprehend a fleeing suspect who had jumped into the Caloosahatchee River in Cape Coral.

Police said that for the first time ever, they were “glad” to have the Algae after 22-year-old Abraham Duarte of Ocala, jumped in the water in an effort to evade them and became disabled in the slimy stuff.

It happened Saturday in a canal near Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, located near Beach Parkway & Del Prado Boulevard.

Officers say Duarte immediately jumped out of the car and fled on foot before jumping in a canal in an effort to escape. However, the canal’s thick algae quickly overcame Duarte, who swallowed some of the algae before making his way back towards police. source

Duarte was hauled back in by officers who said they used a garden hose to wash off the algae before he was placed in the back of an awaiting police cruiser.

He was transported to an area hospital before being taken to Lee County Jail.

He faces charges of Resisting Arrest without Violence, and Possession of Controlled Substance for the seven vials of THC oil officers found in his car.

Anyone with information on the case may contact police at 911.