The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested John Kaafi, DOB 9/25/81, 2517 Glebe Farm Close, Sarasota, in connection with a crime spree that included fleeing from deputies and driving across the Brentwood Elementary School playground.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., yesterday, deputies tried to stop John Kaafi for speeding but he sped away and the pursuit was canceled when he drove on school grounds.

Deputies located his vehicle at 4:40 a.m., on Honore near Fruitville Road. He sped off again and the pursuit was canceled when Kaafi endangered other motorists. He turned down a dead end road and ran from the vehicle but was located by K-9 deputies.

Throughout the night, witnesses say John Kaafi broke into a shed to hide and tried to break into a vehicle inside the shed.

Kaafi, who has a significant criminal history, is currently charged with two counts of Fleeing to Elude, and one count each of Burglary and Attempted Vehicle Burglary. Additional charges are pending.