A dramatic police pursuit unfolded on Monday afternoon when officers from the Treasure Island Police Department (TIPD) responded to a disturbance call at 9641 Gulf Boulevard involving reports of a firearm. The incident occurred at approximately 1:47 p.m. on July 17, 2023, and escalated quickly, resulting in multiple crashes and the arrest of the 56-year-old Ronald Giovino of Clearwater.
As the officers were en route to the scene, they received information that a gunshot had been fired. Upon arrival, they encountered a chaotic situation with additional gunshots fired at vehicles. The officers immediately acted, attempting to stop Giovino who was involved in the disturbance.
Giovino hastily fled the scene, dropping his firearm, and evaded the initial pursuit by getting into a dark-colored Mercedes 300 and traveling south on Gulf Boulevard. Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the potential danger posed to the public, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Indian Shores Police, joined forces to assist the TIPD in apprehending Giovino.
During the chase, officers attempted to employ a PIT maneuver to immobilize the Giovino’s vehicle. However, the determined man continued to flee, heading towards South Pasadena at high speeds and ignoring traffic signals. The reckless behavior resulted in multiple collisions involving innocent motorists and law enforcement personnel. While traveling north on 66th Street, Giovino veered into a grass median, striking a traffic sign near Burlington Avenue and 66th Street North in St. Petersburg. The traffic sign struck a passing vehicle. After striking the traffic sign, Giovino made a sharp left turn to avoid striking a 2022 Toyota Camry. When Giovino turned to avoid the Camry, Deputy Neal III, who was following Giovino, struck the Camry with his patrol vehicle. According to deputies, no citizens in the other vehicles were seriously injured.
Undeterred by the chaos he had caused, the suspect tried to reverse his course and reenter Treasure Island. In a final desperate attempt to escape, the suspect crashed his vehicle into a fence in the backyard of a residence near 79th Street on the Treasure Island Causeway. The crash occurred due to another PIT maneuver where Giovino’s Mercedes struck another vehicle before striking the vinyl fence.
Law enforcement officers promptly apprehended 56-year-old Ronald Giovino of Clearwater at the crash site. He was then taken into custody without further incident and immediately transported to HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital for evaluation and any necessary medical treatment.
Deputy Neal III was transported to the hospital and treated and released with minor injuries.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the initial disturbance and Giovino’s subsequent actions.
Giovino is facing the following charges, with additional charges pending from the Treasure Island Police Department.
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Criminal mischief
- Discharging a firearm in public
- DUI (3rd or subsequent offense). 10/27/2015, 3/24/2016, 7/1/2022
- Felonious possession of a firearm
- Flee or elude (High Speed/Wonton Disregard)
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving property
- Reckless driving with property damage or injury
- Resisting an officer without violence
- Violation of probation with license permanently revoked (effective 3/24/2016)
- Violation of probation driving under the influence