A routine traffic stop for a window tint violation has resulted in a 23 year old man going to jail for attempting to run over a deputy and her horse this afternoon near the intersection of Le Havre Boulevard and Silver Star Road.
The incident started at around 2:41 PM today when Craig A. Johnson was pulled over by deputies working a traffic detail. At first the suspect appeared to be compliant as he pulled over and placed his vehicle in park. Deputy Mike Kleinfelt approached the driver’s side window while Deputy Alicia Pellegrino and her horse, Dylan, took a position near the front of the car. When Deputy Kleinfelt asked the man for his driver’s license he began to get nervous then, without warning, he put his car into drive and fled at a high rate of speed nearly striking Deputy Pellegrino and Dylan.
Deputies were able to get a solid vehicle description and tag number which was immediately put out on the radio. Deputies were able to obtain a possible address for their suspect and set up surveillance on a home at 2413 North Hastings. Less than 10 minutes later deputies observed the suspect vehicle drive up to the residence and see a man matching the suspect’s description run from the car. Deputies were able to quickly apprehend the suspect without further incident or injury to any of the parties involved.
Suspect Johnson has been charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer With a Motor Vehicle, Violation of Probation, and Fleeing and Attempting to Elude. Deputies observed a gun inside the suspect’s vehicle and are awaiting a search warrant before recovering the weapon or searching the suspect’s car. Deputies expect to file additional charges relating to the firearm on Johnson after the warrant is secured and the vehicle is searched.
