A 36-year-old Ocala man with a revoked driver’s license was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he fled from a deputy who had attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
On Sunday, shortly before 2:55 p.m., an MCSO deputy observed a white Mercedes car that was weaving in the lane in the area of SW 83rd Avenue Road and SW Highway 484 in Marion County. The vehicle was traveling at a speed of 77 mph, which was over 20 mph above the posted speed limit in the area, according to the MCSO report.
The deputy noted in the report that the vehicle crossed onto the yellow center divider line before turning onto Marion Oaks Pass, and the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop. After the MCSO patrol car’s lights were activated, the vehicle refused to stop and continued traveling southbound.
The MCSO report stated that the deputy activated the patrol car’s siren and instructed the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Stephen Evaristo Perk, to pull over.
Instead of stopping, Perk led the deputy on a pursuit through an access road before reaching SW 135th Street Road. Perk then proceeded to travel westbound on SW 135th Street Road in the eastbound lane at speeds that ranged from 40 to 65 mph, according to the MCSO report.
When Perk attempted to turn onto SW 88th Court, he “overshot the turn” and entered the sandy area on the side of the road. The deputy used the patrol car’s bumper to push Perk’s vehicle sideways, which dug the vehicle’s tires into the sand.
The deputy noted that Perk attempted to rev the engine for a few moments before he exited the vehicle. He was taken into custody without any further incident.
When the deputy asked for Perk’s identification, he stated that it was inside his wallet. The deputy located a state-issued identification card in the wallet, and Perk advised that he did not possess a driver’s license.
Perk had an active warrant out of Marion County for a violation of probation in reference to a prior conviction for DUI impairment (.15 or above). A computer records search of Perk also revealed that his license was revoked for one year on April 19, 2021, due to the DUI conviction.
Perk was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $7,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and siren active, along with a misdemeanor charge for driving with a revoked license.
An initial court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, and a second court date has been scheduled at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, according to jail records.