Man Drives Through Crime Scene; Officers Avoid Vehicle: Deputies

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL - A 43-year-old New Port Richey man was arrested Sunday night after he drove through a crime scene near the site of where a homeless man was found dead, according to an arrest report.

Jason Alford was pursued to his New Port Richey home and a stun gun was used on him at his front door as he tried to escape, deputies said.

Pasco detectives were investigating the suspicious death of a homeless man whose body was found in a campsite in New Port Richey. Deputies received a call Sunday that the body of Gregory Howe, 23, was located in a wooded area near Marion Drive and Troublecreek Drive.

Deputies and detectives were standing on Mary Ann Drive while working the death investigation. The street was blocked off with crime scene tape. Alford drove his vehicle, a silver Nissan Xterra, through the crime scene, despite officers yelling at him to stop, deputies said.

Alford ignored the commands and continued accelerating south towards deputies, forcing the officers to run out of the way to keep from being struck from the vehicle, deputies said. Alford drove south on Wiggins Drive with deputies pursuing him. No officers were hit.

Alford's vehicle came to a stop at his residence on Queen Palm Drive, less than a half mile away. Alford exited his vehicle and a sergeant told him to stop and get on the ground. Alford ignored the commands and attempted to enter his residence, deputies said, when he a stun gun was used to arrest him.

Alford was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, resisting without violence and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

Deputies said Alford has been convicted five times of driving with a suspended or revoked license.

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