Man Called 911 To Report Cops, Nearly Ran Over Officer: Police Say

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A 34-year-old Holiday man faces a long list of criminal charges after New Port Richey Police say he failed to follow orders during a traffic stop, nearly struck an officer with his vehicle and then led them on a chase that ended in Hillsborough County early Tuesday morning.

According to the New Port Richey Police Department, the incident that led to Timothy McCoy’s arrest began to unfold early Tuesday morning in the area of Arthur Avenue and Madison Street. Officer Donohue reportedly conducted a traffic stop on a Hyundai Santa Fe that had a traffic control device violation. Police say McCoy, the vehicle's driver, pulled over and handed his driver’s license to the officer through a partially rolled down window.

Donohue, however, happened to notice the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and saw marijuana on the passenger seat, an email from the agency said. At that point, Donahue and Officer Kasperitis ordered McCoy out of the vehicle, the email said.

McCoy did not get out and at some point called 911 “to complain on the officers,” the email said.

Undaunted, Donohue attempted “to gain access to the rear passenger compartment, through a partially rolled down window as Officer Kasperitis was at the driver's window ordering McCoy to exit,” the email added. “As Officer Donohue began to enter the rear door, McCoy started the vehicle.”

Kasperitis broke out the driver’s window to try and stop McCoy, police said.

Donohue, who was now in the rear of the Santa Fe, ordered McCoy at gunpoint to surrender and get out of the vehicle. McCoy refused again, the agency said, and fled “almost running over Officer Kasperitis with Officer Donohue having to jump out of the vehicle to avoid being dragged.”

A pursuit began. Police say McCoy again called 911 during that pursuit and told operators “he was not stopping and he had a baby in the car.” Officers, however, knew that wasn’t true.

The chase continued south on State Road 54, east to the Veterans Expressway and south again into Hillsborough County. McCoy eventually ran out of gas in the 13100 block of North Dale Mabry Highway and was taken into custody.

McCoy, police said, was involved in a similar incident in August 2015. In that case, he was accused of hitting Sgt. Mellecker with a vehicle when the officer interrupted a drug deal. McCoy was out on bond from those charges when he was arrested in connection with the Jan. 10 incident.

McCoy has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing to elude, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest with violence, misuse of 911 and multiple traffic violations.

He was being held in the Hillsborough County Jail Tuesday without bond.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office