Sheriff: Man high on 'flakka' tries to break into jail

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Authorities in Indian River County, Florida say a Vero Beach man who was high on the synthetic drug flakka attempted to break into the county jail on Monday night.

Investigators say Patrick Rempe, 24, rammed his 2002 Toyota into the front doors of building C at jail complex, barely missing a deputy. The glass on the doors shattered, but maintained integrity, a jail spokesperson said. Rempe then drove at a high rate of speed, ramming into the fence outside of building E causing damage to the fence.

Rempe then climed up the fence and became entangled in the razor wire on the inner perimeter of the jail. Indian River County Emergency Medical Services were called to remove Rempe from the fence and was transported to Indian River Medical Center for treatment from injuries. Scroll down for photo.

Deputies said Rempe admitted that he was "high on Flakka" and that he just wanted to visit friends who were in the jail. "This is what drugs do to you. Flakka is poisoning our youth. Fortunately, none of our deputies were injured and our facility wasn't compromised," said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl in a statement sent to FOX 35.

Rempe is currently being held under supervision at the Indian River Medical Center. He faces charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, three counts of felony criminal mischief, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, driving under the influence, and possibly more.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, flakka (also known as gravel) often takes the form of a white or pink, foul-smelling crystal that can be eaten, snorted, injected, or vaporized in an e-cigarette or similar device. Vaporizing, which sends the drug very quickly into the bloodstream, may make it particularly easy to overdose. It can cause hyperstimulation, paranoia, and hallucinations that can lead to violent aggression and self-injury.