A 35-year-old man, identified as Edward Paul Bergman of Edgewater, Florida, was apprehended after wreaking havoc at the Best Western hotel and leading police on a frantic chase along U.S. Highway 1. Bergman admitted to the officers that he was under the influence of methamphetamine.
On Wednesday afternoon, around 2:50 p.m., the Sebastian Police Department was alerted about a disturbance at the hotel. Staff members reported that a man had shattered a third-floor window and damaged an ice machine.
Upon spotting the police, Bergman, who was in a dark grey Hyundai in the parking lot, fled southward on U.S. Highway 1 towards Main Street. The officers saw his car stationary in the middle of the road and attempted to approach him, but he sped off again. He performed a U-Turn and cut through the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot.
Even though officers tried to execute a “pit maneuver” to stop Bergman after he left Wells Fargo, he managed to escape, driving northbound on the southbound lane before police rammed his vehicle. This collision led to Bergman losing control and crashing into another vehicle.
With his car immobilized in the median, Bergman was apprehended by the officers. He exhibited symptoms of intoxication, including slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. An ambulance was called due to the collision, and EMS transported Bergman to Sebastian River Medical Center. While en route, he informed the paramedics that he had used meth.
After being cleared by the medical staff, police transported Bergman to the Indian River County Jail. He declined to perform standardized field sobriety exercises at the facility. His breath sample showed a zero alcohol level. He refused to provide a urine sample.
Hotel CCTV captured Bergman wandering in the corridors, mumbling to himself, and causing property damage. He was seen extracting a fire extinguisher from its wall-mounted casing and using it to strike a window multiple times, which led to considerable cracking.
Witnesses called for help when they heard the loud noises and noticed the shattered window. Bergman then went to the hotel’s ice machine and detached the hose, which flooded the hallway.
The hotel reported that the window and ice machine repairs would cost around $6,000.
Bergman now faces several charges, including Felony Flee & Elude, Resisting Arrest, DUI, Felony Criminal Mischief, and Leaving a Scene of an Accident with Property Damage. He remains in custody with his bail set at $33,000.
