Man charged after jumping multiple fences and entering J.P. Taravella High School campus while attempting to flee from Coral Springs Police
Coral Springs, Florida – A 23-year-old Coral Springs man was arrested after police say he ignored repeated commands from officers, ran through traffic, and entered the grounds of J.P. Taravella High School while attempting to evade law enforcement during a foot pursuit.
According to a Coral Springs Police Department arrest report, the incident unfolded around noon on June 21 when an officer observed Orlando David Smith committing a pedestrian violation near the intersection of Coral Springs Drive and West Atlantic Boulevard.
Authorities said Smith was walking against a crosswalk signal when an officer attempted to stop him. Rather than complying, Smith allegedly continued walking away from the officer and ignored instructions to stop.
What began as a routine encounter quickly escalated into a chase through busy roadways and eventually onto school property.
Police reported that Smith crossed in front of moving vehicles while fleeing, forcing drivers to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. Officers then pursued him on foot as he continued moving away from the area.
The situation intensified when Smith allegedly crossed Riverside Drive and entered the campus of J.P. Taravella High School. Investigators said he gained access to the property by jumping over a locked fence and entering the school’s west parking lot.
Despite the arrival of additional officers, Smith allegedly continued running deeper into the campus. Police say he ignored numerous verbal commands to stop and proceeded through multiple sections of the school grounds.
According to the report, Smith climbed another fence leading into the track and football field area before crossing nearby softball fields. Authorities said he then jumped yet another fence located along the southern boundary of the campus.
Officers maintained pursuit as Smith left the school property and headed toward a canal located behind the campus. The chase eventually moved into the Oakwood Park neighborhood, where police were able to catch and detain him following a brief foot pursuit.
Investigators later contacted the school’s resource officer regarding the incident. According to police, the officer confirmed that the Broward County School Board wished to pursue trespassing charges in connection with Smith’s entry onto the campus.
Authorities noted that the incident occurred on a Sunday, a factor that significantly reduced the potential impact on students and staff. Because school was not in session, the campus had far fewer people present than it would during a normal weekday.
Following his arrest, Smith was transported to Broward Health Coral Springs for medical clearance. After being evaluated, he was taken to the Broward County Jail, where he was booked on the charges stemming from the incident.
Police have not reported any injuries to officers, bystanders, or members of the public during the pursuit. The investigation remains part of the official record documented by the Coral Springs Police Department.
