Felon Arrested for Carrying a Handgun

A North Port man with a history of felony convictions and attempted murder charges was picked up by Sarasota Police Thursday.

Sarasota Police arrested Terrance Bryant, 33, of the 2400 block of Tallwood Terrace in the same neighborhood where , police said.

The arrest was made through the Department Tresspass Enforcement Program, were landlords sign up to allow police to question people on their property to see if they are residents, guests or trespassers.

Officers observed about 10 people standing in an apartment breezeway on the 2400 block of Leon Avenue in Newtown, and developed a strategy using six officers to contact each person. 

Officer Combs and Officer Skinner contacted Bryant. Bryant stepped behind one of the other people partially concealing the officers’ view of Bryant. 

The officers were concerned that Bryant may be concealing himself so that he could discard contraband or grab a weapon, police said. 

As the other person stepped aside, Bryant backed against an apartment door and knocked, yelling “open the door,” police said.

When the door opened, Bryant attempted to run inside, the resident shut the door to try to prevent Bryant from entering, police said.

Officer Combs attempted to restrain Bryant, but Bryant continued to resist, police said.

As Officer Combs took him to the ground, the officer saw the handle of a semi-automatic handgun protruding from Bryant’s waist band.

Officer Skinner retrieved the .40 caliber Sig Saur firearm while Officer Combs handcuffed Bryant, police said.

Officers also recovered a pair of gloves from Bryant’s pocket, a black skull cap, and a black bandana that was around his neck, police said.  

The firearm was loaded, including a round in the chamber, and had been reported as stolen in an auto burglary Dec. 31, 2009, police said. 

Bryant was previously arrested on 52 criminal charges — 31 felonies, 21 misdemeanors — and convicted on 22 charges — 7 felonies and 15 misdemeanors, police said.

His previous arrests include: attempted murder, robberies, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson, violations involving firearms, and narcotics, police said.

Bryant was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and resisting a law enforcement officer, police said.