CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – A 23-year-old man is behind bars in Citrus County after attempting to flee from deputies with trafficking amounts of fentanyl in the stolen vehicle he was driving.
Late Friday night, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) K-9 Deputy Danner initiated a traffic stop in the area of Hwy 486 and Hwy 491, at which time the driver, later identified as 23-year-old William Lindo II, fled westbound on Highway 486.
Due to Lindo refusing to stop, CCSO units deployed tire deflation devices near the intersection of Highway 486 and Donovan Avenue.
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The tire deflation devices were effective, but Lindo decided to turn off all of his vehicle lights in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Lindo then turned onto Turkey Oak Drive and fled on foot.
While K-9 Deputy Danner continued to pursue Lindo on foot, ground units and the CCSO air unit responded to the area to set up a perimeter.
Continuing to try to elude capture, Lindo attempted to carjack a male juvenile near the 8000 block of Crystal Street. However, Lindo’s attempt failed, resulting in him exiting the victim’s vehicle and running off. Subsequently, K9 Deputy Danner and his partner Riggs were able to catch up and apprehend Lindo.
After a K-9 alert on Lindo’s vehicle, a search was conducted where deputies located two clear plastic baggies containing approximately 25.33 grams of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for fentanyl.
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Deputies also located 28.5 grams of cannabis inside of the vehicle.
“Lindo not only put himself at risk last night, but countless citizens along the way,” said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “I am incredibly proud of my team for apprehending this reckless individual and thankful no one was harmed. CCSO will remain relentless in our fight against illicit narcotics in our county.”
He was charged with:
- Trafficking in fentanyl
- Possession of cannabis
- Burglary with battery
- Grand theft of a motor vehicle
- Fleeing and eluding
- Resisting without violence
- Attaching a tag not assigned to a vehicle
Lindo is being held at the Citrus County Detention Facility on a total bond of $61,000 per the bond schedule.
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