A 27-year-old St. Petersburg man was arrested Sunday after allegedly leading a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on a pursuit through Pasco County before being taken into custody following a PIT maneuver, according to an arrest report.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Marcus Jerome Dudley of St. Petersburg, was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with disregard for the safety of persons or property, a felony. FHP identified Dudley as a rapper who performs under the name “OTM Ruger.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at approximately 4:06 p.m. on June 7, 2026, a trooper observed a silver Nissan Altima traveling westbound on State Road 54 near Seven Springs Boulevard in New Port Richey. The vehicle matched the description of a car that had fled from a traffic stop in Largo the previous day and had recently been detected by a license plate reader in the area.
The trooper attempted a traffic stop for a windshield tint violation. After the vehicle turned into a parking lot, the trooper confirmed it was the same vehicle involved in the previous fleeing incident. Investigators say the driver then made evasive maneuvers within the parking lot before fleeing westbound on State Road 54.
The pursuit continued onto Perrine Ranch Road. At approximately 4:11 p.m., the suspect reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which rotated clockwise while attempting to turn around and continue eastbound. FHP said the driver was demonstrating disregard for public safety, prompting the trooper to perform a PIT maneuver by intentionally striking the vehicle’s side to end the pursuit.
The driver exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident. Troopers noted the suspect’s shoe remained under the accelerator at the time of the arrest.
Dudley was transported to the Pasco County Jail. No injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.