Man Arrested After Driving Stolen Jeep Into Anna Maria Sound, Fleeing Police by Swimming

HOLMES BEACH – A Sarasota man is facing a series of felony and misdemeanor charges following a chaotic incident that ended with him swimming into Anna Maria Sound after allegedly stealing a Jeep and refusing to comply with law enforcement orders.

The Holmes Beach Police Department arrested James Mikluscak in the early hours of March 30 after he allegedly drove a 2014 black Jeep Wrangler into the water near the base of the Anna Maria Island Bridge. The Jeep was later confirmed stolen and submerged 10 to 20 feet offshore after being driven through a mangrove area.

According to law enforcement reports, Officer Andrew Adkins and Sgt. Joshua Betts observed the vehicle circling erratically near a pedestrian-only embankment. When officers attempted to stop the driver, Mikluscak reportedly ignored commands, accelerated through mangroves, and entered the water.

Officers initially believed Mikluscak may have been armed after he lifted an object in the water perceived to be a weapon. Multiple agencies responded, including the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Bradenton Beach Police, and the U.S. Coast Guard was called in to assist. Officers tracked Mikluscak in the water for over an hour before he was eventually pulled into a police boat and arrested.

Mikluscak was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital for medical evaluation due to possible hypothermia. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine and was visibly impaired at the time of the arrest. Hospital staff and officers observed clear signs of drug use.

Investigators later confirmed that the Jeep belonged to a Sarasota man who resides at a recovery home for individuals battling addiction. The vehicle’s owner said he did not give Mikluscak permission to take the Jeep after they returned home earlier that evening.

Mikluscak has been charged with DUI with property damage, reckless driving with property damage, resisting an officer without violence, fleeing to elude law enforcement, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. He remained in custody at the Manatee County Jail in Palmetto as of April 1.