A Florida Man Was Arrested for Trying to 'Run to London' Across the Atlantic. Again.
Marathoner and Florida Man Reza Baluchi, 44, was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for attempting to “run to London” in a hamster wheel-style device. Again.
According to IFL Science, Baluchi was arrested on August 26, 70 miles off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia, and is facing federal charges of obstructing a boarding and violating a captain of the port order.
According to the report, Baluchi was asked for his vessel registration, but told authorities he was unable to find it on board. He refused to leave the vessel, a contraption akin to a hamster wheel kept afloat with wiring and buoys, for three days, claiming he had a bomb and would detonate if anyone tried to get on board. He also threatened suicide with knives he produced, according to the official documents.
The Coast Guard reported that Baluchi was “conducting a manifestly unsafe voyage.”
Eventually, Baluchi left the vessel and was arrested.
In 2014, Baluchi tried “running” to Bermuda but became disoriented and asked fishermen for directions, according to IFL Science. The Coast Guard told him not to continue the trip, but he did, and made it about 70 miles off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida.
According to the BBC, Baluchi again had to be rescued off the coast of Jupiter, near Palm Beach, Florida. And in 2021, he was arrested after being rescued while trying to “run” from Florida to New York. He drifted 30 miles south of his departure point.
Baluchi is nothing if not determined.
“I’ll never give up my dream,” he told Fox 35 in 2021. “They stop me four or five times, but I never give up.”
Baluchi, who was born in Iran, ran to New York City from Los Angeles after the September 11 attacks to show people that Iranians are peaceful, according to his website. He previously told news outlets that he is trying to raise money for people experiencing homelessness, the Coast Guard, the police department, and the fire department.
“They are in public service, they do it for safety, and they help other people,” he said back in 2021.
You Might Also Like
