Holmes Beach police arrested an alleged drug dealer after altercations with two men in the 2900 block of Gulf Drive.
Timothy Merritt, 25, of Bradenton Beach, was arrested for possessing cocaine and marijuana with the intent to sell and possessing pills and paraphernalia.
Officer Mike Walker was dispatched to the 3000 block of Avenue B at 11:03 p.m. March 1 on a report of a suspicious vehicle. The caller informed police that the people exited the vehicle and were walking through yards and a loud truck was driving up and down the street.
Upon arriving, the officer saw two men on the side of the road — one holding an open container of alcohol and another who said he had a bag of marijuana in his pocket.
One man fled and Walker caught up with him, tackled him to the ground in the middle of 31st Street and also fought off his friend.
A Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy arrived and helped apprehend Merritt.
Following a search of the suspect and his vehicle, Walker reported finding cocaine in Merritt’s pockets and in the vehicle.
Three bags with 19.3 grams of cocaine, one bag of marijuana, three buprenorphine tablets and a digital scale were confiscated and the vehicle was towed, according to the HBPD report.
Merritt was transported to the Manatee County jail and posted an $11,000 bond.
Merritt’s arraignment is set for at 9 a.m. Friday, April 1, in the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.