Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Large Crowd Disturbance Results In Drug Arrest

200 People Congregate At Gas Station - Arrest Made After Vehicle Pursuit
LABELLE, FL. -- A man was arrested Saturday afternoon after attempting to flee Hendry County officers. Anthony Cole allegedly attempted to drive away from the Pioneer Shell store in mid-Hendry when numerous officers responded to a disturbance call where about 75 vehicles had congregated in a parking lot. 

The call had sent officers working the Swamp Cabbage Festival in LaBellle to the disturbance 20 miles east of LaBelle.

On February 23, 2013 Deputies with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Pioneer Shell Station on State Road 80 in reference to a large group that had gathered at this location. It was reported to the Sheriff’s Office that these groups had entirely taken over the parking lot and were causing a disturbance.

When Deputies arrived on scene it was estimated there were at least 75 vehicles in the parking lot and approximately 200 people. Hendry County K-9 handler Deputy Harrynarine exited his vehicle and removed his K9 partner, Dio, and began to assist with crowd control. 

As Deputy Harrynarine and K9 Dio began walking through the crowd, Dio immediately showed an interest in a white Oldsmobile that was improperly parked and unattended. As deputies approached the vehicle a subject quickly entered the car and attempted to drive away. 

Harrynarine attempted to gain the driver’s attention to no avail. As the vehicle’s driver attempted to drive away he was forced to stop by the large volume of traffic that was attempting to leave the parking lot. At this point Deputy Harrynarine was able to approach the driver’s side of the vehicle where he knocked on the window in a continued attempt to gain the driver’s attention.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 30 year old Anthony Trevoris Cole, ignored Deputy Harrynarine orders to stop his vehicle. Cole then seemed to become more intent on leaving the parking lot, operating his vehicle in an extremely reckless manner. During his attempt to leave the parking lot, the driver of the vehicle drove across the curb onto State Road 80.

Deputies who had positioned themselves to direct traffic on State Road 80 were approached by Cole. Deputy N. Reed of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, who was directing traffic, was nearly struck by Cole as he continued to travel along State Road 80 ignoring orders of Hendry County Deputies to stop. Deputies immediately began pursuing this vehicle. 

Cole ignored all attempts made by the Deputies to get him to stop and at one point during the pursuit struck one of the Sheriff’s Office vehicles with his.

Cole was apprehended and taken into custody by Hendry County Deputies after the vehicle he was driving developed a flat tire. After Cole was apprehended deputies located 98 grams of marijuana on the driver and in the vehicle, along with approximately $3,000.00 in U.S. Currency.

Cole was transported to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office on charges of Fleeing and Eluding Police with Disregard of Safety of Persons or Property, Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Marijuana with intent to sell.

Cole was released on February 24, 2013 on $48,500 bond.

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