Deondre Thomas, age 25 of St. Petersburg, was arrested after fleeing from deputies on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Thomas reportedly drove his 2021 Volkswagen Passat though a red light at Ulmerton Road and 104th Lane South at approximately 9:20 p.m.
The deputy who witnessed the infraction activated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop. Thomas fled in the Volkswagen at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour. The deputy observed the vehicle violate multiple traffic laws including failing to stop at a red light at least three times while continuing to drive in a reckless and negligent manner.
Multiple deputies continued to intercept Thomas with multiple attempts to use tire deflation devices. The deployment of the tire deflation devices left multiple other vehicle with flat tires.
Thomas evaded deputies as he drove through Seminole and the Bay Pines area. The Volkswagen was eventually stopped at the corner of Park Street and Tyrone Boulevard. Once Thomas was taken into custody, an inventory of the vehicle identified a black scale with a white powdery residue. The residue presumptively tested positive as cocaine.
Thomas was previously deemed a habitual offender for driving with a suspended/revoked license.
Thomas is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, driving with suspended/revoked license (habitual), fleeing and eluding police officer,