BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – A Brooksville man was arrested for child abuse, false imprisonment, and possession of an incendiary device after driving wildly and being stopped by deputies.
According to Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, just before 8:30 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputies E. Miller and D. Hadsell were conducting proactive patrols in the area of California Street and Narrow Street in Brooksville when they saw a silver Nissan being driven recklessly in the area.
As the deputies attempted to conduct a Traffic Stop, the driver threw something out the driver’s side window.
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The driver, later identified as Ricky Thomas, then pulled over in the area of Orlando Avenue and Chancas Street. Deputies detained Thomas.
When making contact with Thomas, deputies detected a strong odor of gasoline coming from Thomas and from within the vehicle.
Investigation revealed that Thomas was previously in a relationship with a female who lives in the general area. When deputies spoke with the woman, they learned that Thomas was parked in her driveway for several hours, harassing her and a juvenile who was also present.
Ultimately, Thomas exited his vehicle and began arguing with the female.
Hearing the argument, the juvenile went to the back patio and got in between Thomas and the woman. Thomas then struck the juvenile in the head.
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Immediately after striking the juvenile, Thomas picked up the juvenile from behind and forcefully carried the juvenile off the patio and toward his vehicle. All the while, the juvenile was fighting to get free of Thomas’ grip. Finally, the juvenile broke free and ran into the residence.
Deputies noted several injuries on the juvenile’s body, both from being struck and forcefully removed from the patio and carried toward the vehicle.
“Utilizing a gas can that was stored on the property, Thomas filled a plastic water bottle with gasoline. Thomas then added items to create a “wick” thus, making a “Molotov Cocktail” that he planned to toss onto the female’s property, where he had poured gasoline,” said investigators.
Deputies located the Molotov Cocktail in the area where they saw Thomas throw something out the car window. Fortunately, deputies saw and were able to detain Thomas, before he deployed the device.
Ricky Eugene Thomas, 34, was placed under arrest and charged as follows:
- Child Abuse
- False Imprisonment
- Discharge/Place Destructive Device
- Bond- $15,000
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