FWC Law Enforcement Report

July 12, 2016

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending July 7 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

No report was submitted for Escambia County.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY


Officer Ramos observed an ATV traveling on a paved public highway and initiated a traffic stop. When he activated his lights and siren, the operator of the ATV veered off the highway and attempted to lose the officer in the woods. Officer Ramos intercepted the man in a nearby mobile home park and a foot chase ensued. After several minutes of running, the man attempted to hide inside a mobile home. Santa Rosa Sherriff’s Office and FHP assisted by maintaining a perimeter around the home until the subject finally surrendered several hours later. A cursory search of the mobile home revealed illegal narcotics. The man was booked into the county jail for fleeing and attempting to elude and narcotics charges.

While on patrol in the Blackwater State Forest, Officers Clark and Hutchinson observed a male subject recreating at a camp site near a creek. While speaking with him, they discovered that the subject was consuming alcoholic beverages in an area where alcoholic beverages are prohibited. After the subject consented to a search of the camp, the officers located a container containing a bag of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. While continuing the search of the subject’s belongings, they discovered a bag containing several syringes and two baggies of methamphetamine. The subject admitted to possessing the methamphetamine but denied ownership of the marijuana. He claimed that the marijuana belonged to a female friend who left the camp earlier in the day. The subject was placed under arrest and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.

While patrolling at night in the parking lot of a boat ramp at the Blackwater River, Officers Clark and Hutchinson observed a vehicle parked in a restricted area. The officers pulled next to the vehicle and observed two subjects inside the vehicle. The officers made contact with the female subject who was seated in the driver’s seat. While speaking with her, they observed her making several overt movements as if trying to conceal something. The officers gained consent to search the vehicle. They made contact with the male passenger of the vehicle, who admitted to possessing a bag of methamphetamine. The officers located the methamphetamine and illegal drug paraphernalia inside of the vehicle. After further investigation, the female subject admitted to possessing the illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Both subjects were placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.

Lieutenant Hahr and Officer Hutchinson were patrolling by vessel during the fireworks event at the Blackwater River. While patrolling after the event, they observed a vessel occupied by four subjects who were shouting at several subjects on the shore. The officers noticed that the vessel didn’t have the required navigational lights. They conducted a stop on the vessel and made contact with the man who was operating the vessel. The subject had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. While conducting a vessel safety equipment inspection, the man showed several signs of impairment. He consented to one field sobriety task, but when asked to perform more tasks, he refused. Based on the several indicators of impairment, the man was placed under arrest for BUI. A female passenger who was under the age of 21 was also found to be in possession of an alcoholic beverage. The female was charged with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age. The operator was transported and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. While at the jail, the subject was found to be in possession of a concealed handcuff key. The subject was charged with two felony counts for possession of the hand cuff key while in custody and introduction of contraband into a jail.

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.

Comments

One Response to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. BD on July 13th, 2016 9:21 am

    I can’t thank the FWC enough for their labor. Those good ole boys who just want to drink a beer while fishing usually turn into 12 beers. They can get drunk at home if they want. Having to deal with drunken boaters on the river or on a hunt is just downright dangerous.
    If it weren’t for these officers hunting and boating would quickly become “not fun”

    BD

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News