BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton man is free on $100,000 bond after allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend for more than 40 miles along Florida’s Turnpike. Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested 53-year-old Mark Ernest Hetzel following a harrowing high-speed pursuit that began in Broward County and ended near Jupiter. Hetzel now faces a felony charge of aggravated stalking with a credible threat.
The incident began around 4:21 p.m. on December 20th when dispatchers received a frantic call from a woman traveling northbound near Lake Worth. She told authorities that as she passed Glades Road, she spotted Hetzel’s black Toyota parked on the shoulder. According to arrest reports just obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, Hetzel merged into traffic as soon as she passed and began flashing his high beams. The situation escalated quickly as he allegedly tried to run her off the road and repeatedly cut her off in traffic, leaving the victim stating she was in fear for her life.
Investigators later learned this wasn’t an isolated incident. Just one day prior, Margate Police had been called regarding a domestic dispute between the two, who had reportedly lived together for three years. During that encounter, Hetzel allegedly threatened to kill the woman and sent her a text message stating, “You are dead.” During the arrest process, Hetzel told troopers he had spoken to a landlord to find out when the victim was leaving her home so he could wait for her along the highway.
Troopers finally intercepted the vehicles and conducted a traffic stop at mile marker 117 in Jupiter, ending a pursuit that spanned approximately 42 miles. Hetzel was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail. A court date is set for early January.
