An “adrenaline junkie” is behind bars after allegedly stealing a lighter from an Ocala Wawa and leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour.

On Sunday, November 16, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a man had stolen a lighter from the Wawa located at 5200 S Pine Avenue. Shortly after committing the alleged theft, the man began “dancing on top of his vehicle” in the parking lot, according to the arrest report.

The man was identified in the report as 29-year-old Alexander Pierce Fleming.

The report stated that prior to the arrival of law enforcement officers, Fleming entered his vehicle and fled from the Wawa parking lot at a high rate of speed. An MCSO lieutenant briefly observed Fleming’s vehicle “driving erratically” before losing sight of it.

Fleming’s vehicle was soon spotted by police in Belleview, and a traffic stop was attempted. However, Fleming allegedly made an “abrupt U-turn” and began heading northbound on S U.S. Highway 441.

As Fleming’s vehicle headed towards the MCSO lieutenant’s location, stop sticks were deployed on the roadway, near the 6200 block of SE Abshier Boulevard, in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The report stated that Fleming swerved around the stop sticks while traveling at “well over 100 miles per hour.”

According to the report, Fleming continued speeding on SE 58th Avenue and then made a right turn onto SE 92nd Loop. He allegedly continued traveling for around one mile before pulling over onto the shoulder of the roadway and surrendering to law enforcement.

After being read his Miranda rights, Fleming allegedly stated that he reached speeds of around 120 mph while fleeing law enforcement because he is “an adrenaline junkie.”

During a pat-down search of Fleming, a red lighter belonging to Wawa was located in his front right pocket, and he allegedly admitted that it was “stolen,” according to the report.

An MCSO corporal noted in the report that field sobriety exercises were conducted, and Fleming did not appear to have any signs of impairment.

Fleming was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he remains in custody. His bond has been set at $27,500, and he is facing the following charges: fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer at a high rate of speed and retail theft.

Jail records show that Fleming is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16.