A Eustis man with a prior felony conviction was arrested at gunpoint after attempting to flee from the officer conducting a traffic stop.
Police observed a light Kia sedan traveling north on Dixie Avenue at around 2:44 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. The driver, 22-year-old Cameron John Gardner, did not stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Dixie Avenue and Berckman Street.
The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued traveling north on College Avenue. As Gardner showed no signs of attempting to pull over, the officer activated the sirens on his patrol car, the report said.
Gardner then pulled into the grass in front of 501 West Miller Street before rapidly accelerating back onto Miller Streer, the report said. The vehicle proceeded to speed westbound in the eastbound lane, causing several other vehicles to veer off the roadway to avoid a collision.
In accordance with department policy, the officer did not continue his pursuit of the vehicle. Instead, he watched Gardner turn south on Rose Avenue before losing sight of the vehicle, the report said.
A few moments later, the officer followed Gardner to ensure the vehicle did not crash. He spotted the vehicle in a vacant lot at the corner of Catawba Street and Rose Avenue. As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed Gardner fleeing from the driver’s side. He fled on foot, traveling eastbound through the backyard of several residences back towards 501 W. Miller St., the report said.
The officer backtracked to 501 W. Miller St. and spotted Gardner as he emerged from the wooded area west of the residence, the report said. The officer drew his firearm and ordered Gardner to come to him while at gunpoint, to which he complied.
The officer also ordered Gardner to get on the ground several times, but Gardner did not comply and got on his knees instead. He was directed to the ground and placed in handcuffs without further resistance, the report said.
As the officer placed Gardner in his patrol car, another officer advised over police radio that he had found a firearm in the driver’s floorboard of the vehicle Gardner had fled. For investigative purposes, both the officer and Gardner drove back to the vehicle’s location, the report said.
The very strong odor of marijuana emitted from the interior of the vehicle when the officer returned to it. He observed a black semi-automatic style pistol positioned on the floorboard with a black sandal on top of it. A few feet away from the open driver’s door was the matching sandal. Also seen was a digital scale positioned directly beside the gear shift, the report said.
The vehicle was then properly searched, the report said. The officer found a tan bag in the front seat, which was found to contain a small plastic bag of marijuana and a small piece of balled-up paper containing suspected THC wax. Also in the bag was a large plastic bag that contained about 50 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, the same caliber as the firearm, the report said.
In the driver’s door was another plastic bag containing a crystallized substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Further inspection of the firearm, a Glock 27, showed it was fully loaded with a 30 round extended magazine, but no round was found in the chamber. A check of the gun’s serial number revealed it was reported stolen from the Mount Dora PD in December 2021, the report said.
The officer then asked Gardner about the incident, the report said. He stated he fled from the traffic stop because he was almost home and did not want to be pulled over. He initially stated that he was not aware that a firearm was inside the vehicle and immediately appeared concerned when the officer confirmed that the gun was underneath one of his sandals.
Gardner advised that he was hanging out with a friend known as “Weez” earlier that day, the report said. He stated the gun fell out of the bag while he was coming to a stop in front of his residence, and once he realized this, he panicked and fled from the traffic stop.
According to Gardner, “Weez” resided near Main Street in Leesburg, but he did not know his real name. He further denied any knowledge or ownership of the narcotics and told the officer his girlfriend, whom he shares the car with, does not use methamphetamine to his knowledge. He also stated he had a medical marijuana card, the report said.
A search of Gardner’s criminal history revealed a prior felony conviction in June 2021 for carrying a concealed firearm. At the time of the stop, he was on probation for possession of marijuana more than 20 grams. His driving history revealed that he had only been issued an identification card and was convicted of driving while his license was suspended in May of this year, the report said.
At the conclusion of the officer’s investigation, Gardner was charged with grand theft (firearm), possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, flee to elude (wanton disregard), possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC wax, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license (never had one) and carrying a concealed firearm.
Garner was also issued a civilian citation for failing to stop at a stop sign. He was transported to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $42,000.
