A woman is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and fleeing law enforcement, after driving her vehicle through a checkpoint near former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and leading officers on a pursuit.
Alexa Rae Scharf, 29, was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly driving her Hyundai SUV into a closed checkpoint in the Bath & Tennis Club's west parking lot around 6:05 p.m. According to the probable cause affidavit, no one was authorized to enter the area at that time. Scharf allegedly parked her vehicle, exited, and turned on a hose.
When a Secret Service agent approached and inquired about her presence, Scharf reportedly responded, "I'm here for the car wash." The agent attempted to photograph her license plate to verify her authorization. Scharf then allegedly returned to her vehicle, ignored commands to stop, and drove toward the agent, forcing him to move out of the way.
Pursuit and Standoff
Scharf's vehicle was later located outside an oceanfront estate less than half a mile away, with its entrance gate visibly damaged. She was allegedly seen walking around the property before returning to her SUV as law enforcement officers approached. Investigators allege she again refused to comply with orders to exit the vehicle and drove directly toward a police captain, who had to move quickly to avoid being struck.
As Scharf backed down the driveway, an officer ordered her to stop, but she allegedly continued driving toward him. Police pursued Scharf as she fled south on South Ocean Boulevard with lights and sirens activated. The pursuit concluded in a driveway where officers deployed stop sticks under the tires and broke out windows to remove Scharf from the vehicle. She was taken into custody after officers pried open the driver's door.
Dog Fatally Shot
The incident took a tragic turn when Scharf's pit bull allegedly charged at officers after they opened the driver's door. Police stated the dog jumped over Scharf, bit one officer, and was subsequently shot twice by another officer. Animal care personnel and a veterinarian attempted to treat the animal, but it later died.
An initial investigation found no policy violations in the shooting, and the officer who fired the shots has not been placed on administrative leave. The condition of the officer who was bitten has not been released. The Secret Service declined to comment on the incident.
Scharf was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle, felony fleeing, and resisting an officer without violence. Additional charges for resisting an officer with violence are also being considered. The incident caused traffic to be halted on South Ocean Boulevard for several hours.