Man says he stole Porsche to impress women

And there was one particular woman he called "high maintenance" who would be attracted to the 1998 Boxster he'd driven away from a Pelican Bay home, Collier County sheriff's deputies say.

But the excuses brought no mercy from deputies who were led on a 120-mph chase on U.S. 41 North in the stolen sports car with Norman Glen Martin at the wheel.

Martin, 42, of 11131 Riggs Road, East Naples, was arrested and charged with grand theft auto, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, resisting arrest without violence and driving with a suspended license.

Deputies were called to a home on Las Brisas Way in Pelican Bay when a woman reported that her Porsche, which had been stolen on Monday, was back in front of her house. Martin told deputies he was trying to return the car when the owner wasn't home. When he realized she was, Martin fled, deputies say.

Meanwhile, deputies were alerted that the stolen car had almost made it home with the suspected thief driving.

At 11:30 p.m., a deputy on U.S. 41, just south of Vanderbilt Beach Road, spotted the Porsche. When the deputy lit up his emergency lights and turned on his siren, the Porsche sped off, heading north on U.S. 41.

"The Porsche was gradually gaining distance," the deputy's report said.

Martin and the deputy reached 120 mph, passing at least a half dozen cars. At U.S. 41 North and Immokalee Road, Martin tried to make a right turn at around 110 mph, but missed the turn and hit the median, deputies say.

The Porsche flew about 20 feet in the air and then landed facing north on U.S. 41 North. Martin then struck the curb on the northeast corner of the intersection. Deputies say speeds had dropped to about 80 mph and Martin finally stopped at U.S. 41 North and Imperial Golf Boulevard.

The deputy removed Martin from the car, bringing him to the ground as he struggled with the officer. He was arrested and handcuffed.

Martin was taken to North Collier Hospital, but had no injuries.

The Porsche had a broken oil pan, flat tires and some motor damage.

Deputies say Martin had gotten the car washed before he was going to return it.