NORTH PORT, Fla. — A search for a wanted, violent suspect in North Port on Tuesday ended with an unrelated arrest and a crash involving a police vehicle.
WATCH: Listen to the moment police realize they have the wrong person:
The North Port Police Department said that officers were called to the area near Preto Boulevard and Playmore Road on Tuesday after getting reports of a wanted man in the area.
North Port Police spokesman Josh Taylor said officers are searching for an 18-year-old man who is wanted for possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent and two counts of aggravated assault. Taylor said those charges are from a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office warrant.
Police believe the man is responsible for several car thefts in the North Port area, Taylor said. The man’s family told officers he might be near Wellen Park, Taylor said.
On Tuesday afternoon, officers say they found a man matching the suspect's description with his face and hands concealed. Police say the man fled from officers who then used a Taser on him.
But it was the wrong man.
North Port Police posted a statement about the incident on Facebook. Police say the man, whose name was not released, is still being charged with obstruction "based on his actions," the social media post said. Officers say they are investigating why the man ran away.
Officers used the taser as a “safe alternative to getting compliance,” Taylor said.
Internal affairs reviews every use-of-force by officers, Taylor said. FOX 4 requested the arrest report and body camera video.
“It’s easy for us to Monday morning quarterback after the fact,” Taylor said. “But in the moment we were going after somebody who was committing, has known to commit violence, has known to commit violent crimes, and could potentially still be committing these types of crimes, so you gotta do what you gotta do.”
After the arrest, Taylor said police also detained another person who officers thought was the suspect. They were not either. Officers released the person without incident, Taylor said.
During the call, a separate police vehicle was involved in a car crash. Police say an officer was clearing the intersection of U.S. 41 and River Road with emergency lights and sirens activated when the crash occurred.
According to the department, the collision caused the police cruiser to roll. Police say there were no life-threatening injuries. The driver who police say struck the cruiser has been cited for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is reviewing the crash.
FOX 4 reached out to the Sheriff’s Office, but did not hear back.
In the Facebook post, Police also addressed rumors of involvement with ICE agents.
"At no point did NPPD detain anyone for immigration enforcement, nor are we 'hunting' individuals based on immigration status," the department said in a statement.
Police are still looking for the wanted suspect.
Police declined to release the names of either suspect, citing an ongoing investigation.
