Longboat Key Police Officer Lee Smith described the law enforcement effort resulting in the arrest of a Sarasota man who gunned a stolen 2006 Buick down Gulf of Mexico Drive one that “came together just perfectly.”
Ron Maurice Johnson Jr., 20, was arrested Sept. 30 for grand theft of a motor vehicle and fleeing and eluding after a multi-jurisdictional effort in Longboat Key — including Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach police departments and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office — combined to track the vehicle and find the suspects.
Three others from Sarasota, Johnathon Hunter, Alexia Simmons and Brianna Scarbrough, were charged with trespass to a conveyance.
The incident began with a LBKPD dispatch notifying Smith that its license recognition camera identified a stolen vehicle entering its jurisdiction.
Smith observed the Buick in the 2000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive just after midnight, called for backup and LBKPD Officer Ray Bergeron arrived.
They turned on their flashing lights to conduct a stop when the suspect vehicle accelerated to an estimated 100 mph.
Smith said he informed Bergeron and the dispatcher he’d not be following the vehicle because it did not meet the department’s pursuit criteria — the risks of injuries and damage outweighing the severity of crime in progress.
“I was about to write up a report that the vehicle fled and pursuit ended when I heard Eric on the radio,” said Smith.
BBPD Officer Eric Hill advised he was traveling south of the Longboat Key Pass Bridge following a traffic violator from Bradenton Beach in Longboat Key, and saw the Buick turning onto General Harris Road.
Knowing the road to be a dead end, Hill cordoned off the area while Smith and Bergeron searched for the vehicle. MCSO was contacted for its K9 unit, and it also deployed a search helicopter.
Also called to assist were three Holmes Beach officers from the Holmes Beach Police Department, who helped establish a perimeter to contain the suspects.
With the assistance of the K9 and helicopter, Smith said LBKPD located the stolen vehicle on Penfield Street.
On the next street over, Lyons Street, four suspects walked west toward MCSO Deputy Stanley Hartley and his vehicle. They were wet and covered with sand and sea shells. They were searched and arrested.
One of the suspects identified Johnson as the driver, according to police reports.
The three passengers were transported to jail and were release on bond or their own recognizance. They have a Nov. 3 court date.
Johnson posted $3,000 bond and was assigned an Oct. 30 hearing date.
“Nobody got hurt and everybody got caught,” Hill said.
LBKPD Chief Pete Cumming will is expected to be sending letters to thank the assisting agencies and their officers.
In addition to Hill and Hartley, assisting LBKPD were: BBPD Officer Mike Bazell, HBPD Sgt. Brian Copeman, HBPD officers Alan Bores and Mike Walker and K-9 handler MCSO Deputy Jerod Wolfe, pilot MCSO Deputy Steve Wellman and assistant Debbie Dennis Sanders.