Florida suspect's plan goes up in smoke as his SUV is engulfed in flames

A Florida criminal suspect's plan to evade authorities has gone up in smoke — literally.

Derick Rouse, 39, was arrested Friday following a car chase, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said. The incident began when two officers responded to a domestic dispute involving a gold Chevrolet Trailblazer at a gas station in Murphy, authorities said.

One of the officers found the SUV behind the gas station.

Rouse, the driver, attempted to flee, “apparently under the impression that stop signs were optional,” the sheriff's office said.

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Derick Rouse, 39, surrendered to authorities after his vehicle caught fire during a police chase in Florida, authorities said. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Rouse refused to comply, authorities said.

During the chase, Rouse made “questionable driving maneuvers,” police said. His vehicle then caught fire. Video footage from the sheriff’s vehicle’s dash cam appears to show smoke billowing from the fleeing SUV.

“As flames engulfed the car, Rouse decided to give up and surrender to deputies,” the sheriff's office said.

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Dashcam video of SUV on fire after police chase. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Rouse is seen getting out of the burning vehicle and onto the ground.

“Lesson of the day: Stop means stop. Oh, and run from law enforcement?” the sheriff’s office asked. “Never a good idea.”

Rouse is currently being held in the Marion County Jail. He is charged with operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and resisting a police officer while fleeing.

Dash cam footage from a Marion County Sheriff's Office vehicle. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

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He is being held on $4,500 bail, jail records show.