A 40-year-old Citra man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly fled from a traffic stop and attempted to grab a deputy’s firearm.
On Friday, April 7, two MCSO deputies observed a white pickup truck that was traveling at a high rate of speed near the intersection of NE 172nd Place and NE 36th Avenue in Citra, according to the arrest report.
The report stated that deputies followed the truck as it approached the stop sign at the intersection of NE 36th Avenue and NE 170th Street. When the truck drove through the intersection without coming to a complete stop, the MCSO patrol car’s emergency lights and siren were activated to initiate a traffic stop. The truck’s driver, later identified as John Spencer IV, refused to stop the vehicle.
According to the MCSO report, Spencer turned west onto NE 163rd Lane and then attempted to turn south to “create a path” through a heavily wooded area near the 2800 block of NE 163rd lane. The truck proceeded to come to a stop when it became stuck.
Spencer exited the truck and began running away from the deputies. The MCSO report stated that after ignoring multiple orders to stop, Spencer was apprehended by one of the deputies, and he attempted to grab the deputy’s handgun. The deputy managed to keep possession of the firearm, and Spencer “eventually complied” with the deputy’s orders.
A red fanny pack was located on Spencer, and it contained a small crystal rock that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The deputies also found a needle in Spencer’s pocket, and several unused needles were located inside the truck, according to the MCSO report.
A computer search of Spencer revealed that he does not have a valid driver’s license, and he has two prior convictions for driving with a suspended license.
Spencer was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $6,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and siren active. In addition, he is facing misdemeanor charges for resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended or revoked license (subsequent offense).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, according to jail records.