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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala passenger in stop sign-running vehicle caught with crack cocaine

Phillip Washington

A passenger in a car stopped for running a stop sign was charged Monday with possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest after he allegedly tried to throw away a plastic bag containing crack cocaine while he was being detained.

Ocala Police pulled over a 2013 silver Nissan Altima along the 1900 block of NW 2nd Street. While one officer was writing a traffic citation to the driver, another officer observed front-seat passenger Phillip Washington, 53, reach into his pants and remove a clear plastic bag. The officer asked Washington to stop reaching for something and to exit the vehicle, according to the OPD report.

Washington, who lives in Ocala, refused to get out of the vehicle and began tensing his arms. He was ordered to place his hands behind his back, but he continued to tense up and refused to comply. Washington had in his possession a clear plastic bag that contained a white rock-like substance, the report said.

While officers tried to restrain Washington, some of the substance spilled onto the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Washington also tried to conceal and throw the clear plastic bag on the ground inside the vehicle. The substance field-tested positive for crack cocaine, according to the report.

Washington was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released early Tuesday on $5,000 bond. A court date has not been set.