Florida woman crashes through gate near Mar-a-Lago, flees cops and watches as her dog is shot after biting officer

A series of chaotic events unfolded on Tuesday evening near the Mar-a-Lago estate, resulting in the arrest of 29-year-old Alexa Rae Scharf. The incident, which reportedly spanned several hours and required a significant police response, began at a closed Secret Service checkpoint and concluded with a high-stakes confrontation involving law enforcement and a pit bull.

As reported by CBS 12, the sequence of events started when Scharf reportedly drove her gray Hyundai SUV into a restricted checkpoint located at the Bath & Tennis Club’s west parking lot. It is clear that this area was not authorized for public access at the time. 

Upon parking her vehicle near the screening tents, Scharf stepped out and began using a hose. When Secret Service Agent McGear approached the scene and asked, “Who are you?” Scharf reportedly provided a response that would set the tone for the rest of the evening, stating, “I’m here for the car wash.”

She reportedly ignored the officer and drove away

The situation escalated quickly when the agent attempted to photograph the license plate of the SUV to verify authorization. Instead of complying, Scharf returned to the driver’s seat. She reportedly ignored multiple commands to stop her vehicle and instead drove toward the agent, which forced him to move out of the way to avoid being struck. 

Following this, she reportedly fled the scene. Minutes later, Agent McGear located the same Hyundai outside an oceanfront estate situated at 1236 S. Ocean Blvd., less than half a mile away. The property’s large entrance gate had been knocked down and sustained visible damage. Scharf was reportedly observed walking around the grounds of the estate.

As Palm Beach police officers and Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies converged on the driveway, they ordered Scharf to exit her vehicle. She reportedly returned to the running SUV and accelerated toward Palm Beach Police Capt. Watson, who had to move quickly to get out of the path of the car. 

As she reversed down the driveway, Officer Castineiras arrived and issued further commands for her to stop. Police reported that she continued driving toward him as well, forcing him to move to avoid being hit. Scharf then managed to maneuver her vehicle between marked police cruisers and fled south on South Ocean Boulevard with officers in pursuit.

The chase eventually came to an end in a driveway located in the 1500 block of South Ocean Boulevard. Officers conducted a felony stop and repeatedly ordered Scharf to turn off the engine and surrender. When she reportedly continued to refuse these orders, law enforcement deployed stop sticks under her tires and smashed the rear windshield and rear driver-side window to gain access. 

Officers eventually opened the driver’s door and removed Scharf from the vehicle to take her into custody. During the process of removing Scharf from the SUV, a pit bull inside the vehicle reportedly jumped over her and charged at the officers. 

Police claimed that the dog bit an officer as they opened the door. In response to the attack, an officer reportedly fired at the dog. While Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and a veterinarian attempted to provide treatment, the dog did not survive.

The department has claimed that an initial investigation found no policy violations regarding the shooting, and the officer involved has not been placed on administrative leave. The condition of the officer who was bitten has not been disclosed, and the Secret Service has declined to comment on the matter.

Scharf, who is a resident of Loxahatchee, is currently reportedly facing several serious charges. These include two counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle, felony fleeing, and resisting an officer without violence. Additionally, documents indicate that investigators found probable cause for three counts of resisting an officer with violence.