St. Petersburg Man Facing Attempted Murder Charges After Attempting to Hit Indian Shores Officer With His Vehicle Early Tuesday Morning
Police responded to the scene the incident occurred on the roadway in front of 19540 Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores. The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
According to detectives, Indian Shores Police Officer Matthew Holm observed a 2017 Nissan Altima and a 2012 Mazda3 driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores.
The speeds of the vehicles were in excess of 70 mph in a 30 mph zone according to Indian Shores Police Chief Terry Hughes.
Officer Holm activated his emergency lights and siren and initiated a traffic stop near 19540 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores.
The driver of the Nissan Altima and only occupant, 28-year-old Brittney Mikus of Cheswick, PA, stopped her vehicle on the east side of Gulf Boulevard. Officer Holm pulled behind Mikus and exited his patrol vehicle.
Officer Holm motioned for the driver of the Mazda3, 42-year-old Stephan Wheeley of St. Petersburg, to pull over beside the Nissan Altima on the east side of the roadway.
Detectives say Weekley slowed down briefly, then accelerated directly towards the officer intentionally striking Officer Holm with his vehicle knocking him to the ground.
During the incident, Officer Holm un-holstered his agency firearm and fired four rounds at the Mazda3. At least one bullet could be seen striking the vehicle’s windshield.
Weekley fled the scene northbound on Gulf Boulevard.
Officer Holm radioed for help and provided a vehicle description to responding law enforcement officers.
Radio Traffic from Officer Involved
Detectives say deputies spotted the Mazda3 traveling northbound on Gulf Boulevard.
Deputies successfully deployed a tire deflation device near 5th Avenue; however, the damaged Mazda3 continued to flee and deputies lost site of the vehicle.
While searching for the vehicle, deputies found the Mazda3 abandoned near 1115 Hidden Harbor Drive in Indian Rocks Beach.
K-9 deputies responded and established a track that lead to the area of the Indian Rocks Nature Preserve located at 901 Gulf Boulevard. With the assistance of a K-9 and Flight Unit, deputies found Weekley hiding in the mangroves near the preserve about 4:40 a.m.
Weekley was taken into custody without incident. Detectives confirmed there were no other occupants in Weekley’s vehicle.
Officer Holm was transported to the Largo Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. He has been with the agency for approximately 3 years.
Detectives interviewed Mikus and she was released.
Detectives charged Weekley with one count of Attempted Murder on a Law Enforcement Officer and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
Gulf Blvd remained closed during the investigation. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation.
Updated @ 5:45 p.m.