A Cape Coral man was arrested after police say he fled from officers on an ATV for approximately 30 miles after a domestic violence incident involving a knife.
Damion Stafford, 44, was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, one count of reckless driving, one count of driving under the influence, and one count of a convicted felon in possession of a concealed weapon.
On Sunday around 8:40 p.m., Cape Coral Police Department officers were called to a home in the northwest Cape in reference to “a disturbance with weapons.”
Police stated that call notes indicated an incident related to domestic violence, where a man had been drinking and was armed with a knife, making threats.
Police said the man, later identified as Stafford, fled on his AT towards Santa Barbara Boulevard North.
After establishing a perimeter near Wilmington Parkway and Nelson Road North, police said they saw a man matching Stafford’s description on a red ATV with no lights on. Police officials said an officer then activated their emergency lights in a fully marked car and got behind the ATV, and that Stafford did not stop and was “actively” fleeing to “elude apprehension.”
Officials said officers at the original scene developed probable cause to arrest Stafford for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
“The officer following Stafford continued to pursue the ATV with lights and sirens activated,” CCPD officials stated in a release. “Stafford made no attempts to stop and would look back at the officer and throw his hands up in the gesture of a firearm. The investigation at the initial scene indicated Stafford was still armed with a knife. The officer observed Stafford reach into his left pocket and remove a large blade, which fell onto the roadway. Officers later found the 12-inch fixed-blade knife in the 2700 block of Nelson Road North.”
Police said the pursuit lasted about 25 minutes, reaching speeds of over 80 miles per hour over 30 miles.
“Stafford drove recklessly through residential areas and main roadways,” the release states. “He operated his ATV (an off-road vehicle) on public roadways and residential areas, displaying willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
The chase ended when Stafford was unable to negotiate a turn onto Jacaranda Parkway West, where police said he hit an embankment and was ejected from the ATV.
“Officers approached Stafford and gave verbal commands to show his hands, to no avail; he did not respond to commands,” the release states. “A K9 Officer deployed his K9, which resulted in a bite to Stafford’s left leg. Stafford then complied and was handcuffed. He received immediate medical attention for his injuries from the crash and bite. Officers could see his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from his breath.”
Stafford was in custody at Lee County Jail, with bond not yet set as of Monday afternoon.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
