A 26-year-old driver from Ocklawaha was arrested after he allegedly sped through a red light on SE Maricamp Road and fled from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy who attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
On Wednesday, an MCSO deputy observed a gray SUV that was traveling westbound on SE Maricamp Road in Ocala at speeds exceeding the posted speed limit. As the SUV neared the intersection of Emerald Road, the vehicle veered into the oncoming lane of traffic on SE Maricamp Road before driving back onto the westbound left-hand turning lane, according to the arrest report.
The deputy noted in the report that the SUV then proceeded to run the red light, and the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle continued through the intersection at a high rate of speed while “shifting from lane to lane.”
The driver of the SUV, later identified as Xavier Jordan Melendez, allegedly refused to pull over. The report stated that the vehicle pursuit came to an end when the SUV stopped at the Marathon gas station located at 9433 SE Maricamp Road.
According to the report, Melendez exited the SUV and ran on foot behind the gas station. The deputy exited the MCSO patrol vehicle and was unable to locate Melendez.
Another MCSO deputy in the area spotted a man matching the description of Melendez who was running behind the gas station. Melendez allegedly fled on foot towards a nearby shopping plaza, where he was apprehended by the second deputy.
After being read his Miranda rights, Melendez claimed that he was driving erratically and ran the red light because he “always (drives) like that,” adding that it is “the only way I knows how to,” according to the report.
During the post-Miranda interview, Melendez further claimed that he did not know that a deputy was attempting to pull him over after running the red light. He allegedly stated that he ran behind the gas station because he was “trying to walk to the tire shop and talk to the mechanics about getting new tires.”
A deputy noted in the report that the interior of Melendez’s SUV was searched, and a plastic pipe was located in the cup holder next to the driver’s seat. The pipe had burnt green residue inside that field-tested positive for the presence of THC.
Melendez was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $4,500 bond. He is being charged with fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.