A 26-year-old driver from Ocklawaha was arrested after allegedly running a red light on SE Maricamp Road and fleeing from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy who attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
On Wednesday, an MCSO officer observed a gray SUV traveling westbound on SE Maricamp Road in Ocala, exceeding the speed limit. As the SUV approached the intersection with Emerald Road, the vehicle crossed into the oncoming lane on SE Maricamp Road before returning to the westbound left-turn lane, according to the police report.
The officer noted in the report that the SUV then ran a red light and the officer attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle continued through the intersection at a high rate of speed while “switching from lane to lane.”
The driver of the SUV, later identified as Xavier Jordan Melendez, allegedly refused to stop. The report states that the chase ended when the SUV stopped at the Marathon gas station at 9433 SE Maricamp Road.
According to the report, Melendez exited the SUV and ran behind the gas station on foot. The deputy exited the MCSO patrol vehicle and was unable to locate Melendez.
Another MCSO officer in the area spotted a man matching Melendez’s description running behind the gas station. Melendez reportedly fled on foot toward a nearby shopping center, where he was apprehended by the second officer.
After being read his Miranda rights, Melendez claimed he was driving erratically and ran a red light because he “always drives like that,” adding that it was “the only way I know,” according to the report.
During the Miranda interview, Melendez further claimed that he was unaware that a police officer attempted to pull him over after he ran a red light. He allegedly stated that he ran behind the gas station because he “wanted to go to the tire shop and talk to the mechanics about new tires.”
An officer noted in the report that the interior of Melendez’s SUV was searched and a plastic pipe was found in the cup holder next to the driver’s seat. Inside the pipe was burnt green residue that tested positive for the presence of THC in a field test.
Melendez was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on $4,500 bail. He is charged with fleeing from a police officer, resisting arrest without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to prison records, no court date has been scheduled yet.
