FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 7, 2020 - According to an online news report published on Nbc-2.com, Fort Myers police officers arrested a man after a traffic stop on Verona Street in Fort Myers, Florida. Fort Myers police stated that once the officers pulled the car over, a passenger in the car jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Another passenger left the scene by walking from the scene and toward a residence. Although the Fort Myers police at the scene gave loud commands for the man to stop, the second passenger continued to walk away from the police officers.
The police officers followed the second passengers into the home. The officers state that they always kept sight of the second passenger and were able to apprehend the second passenger, and escorted the second passenger out of the home in order to further their investigation. According to the Fort Myers police, the actions of the officers fall under Florida laws that govern pursuing a suspect who is in violation of a municipal or county ordinance or a suspect who committed a misdemeanor. The news report states that the second passenger stated that he did not know that the vehicle he was traveling in had been pulled over by the police. The second passenger said that he didn't hear a police siren and did not see any police lights. According to the Fort Myers Police Department, one of their officers is viewable on a body camera video following the second passenger into the residence and commanding one of the men to come back outside.
According to a press release from the Fort Myers Police Department, the situation may have resulted in a simple verbal warning because of non-compliance. The police also stated that traffic stops are common, and the most important priority is to keep everyone safe. The Fort Myers police also stated that a traffic stop is a temporary, lawful detention of a person or person inside a vehicle in order to conduct an investigation.
The Fort Myers Police Department stated that when you see lights, you need to pull over safely and remain inside the car unless you have been asked to by police to exit the vehicle. Also, the Fort Myers Police Department recommends keeping your hands on the steering wheel for the police officers to see your hands and avoid moving quickly. If asked by law enforcement, you must comply and provide your driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The Fort Myers Police Department also recommends telling the officer where these documents are and ask the officer for permission to retrieve them before moving. If there are passengers in the motor vehicle, the Fort Myers Police Department recommends that you encourage the passengers to remain quiet and to cooperate with the police.