Flomaton man jailed after fleeing deputy

A Flomaton man who did not pull over when law enforcement initiated a traffic stop due to a possible window tint violation now faces felony fleeing and eluding and drug possession charges.

Toney Maurice Harrison, 21, 20960 Old Highway 31, was arrested May 19 when a sheriff's deputy attempting to pull him over activated his emergency lights and sirens and found, according to an Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office report.

The report said the officer observed a gray Nissan Altima traveling northbound on Highway 29 near Archer Road and attempted a traffic stop for a possible window tint violation by turing on his lights and sirens.

The vehicle continued at legal speed and did not make an attempt to stop until it pulled on the side of the road near the intersection of Eden Lane and Highway 95A, the report said.

The officer drew his weapon and approached the driver's side cautiously and the driver's window rolled down. The officer then detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from the open window, the report said.

The officer opened the driver's side door and holstered his weapon and ordered the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Harrison, refused to exit the vehicle, so the officer grabbed Harrison's shirt and pulled him from the vehicle, according to the report.

While attempting to handcuff Harrison, he attempted to break free of the officer's grasp multiple times. Once he got the handcuffs on, he placed Harrison in the rear of his marked patrol vehicle, the report said.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a clear plastic baggie containing marijuana. The report stated there was also a clear plastic baggie in plain view of the driver's seat that contained various multi-colored MDMA/Ecstacy pills, which later field tested positive for methamphetamine.

A search of the center console revealed a clear plastic baggie which contained marijuana, the report stated.

The report said the officer used his equipment to measure the tint on the driver's side window, which had a reading of 19 percent, which is below the legal limit of 28 percent.

Harrison advised he did not stop the vehicle when the law enforcement officer activated his emergency lights and sirens because he was calling his girlfriend. He was arrested and charged with felony trafficking MDMA, felony fleeing and eluding a marked patrol vehicle, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence. He was transported to Escambia County Jail, where he was given a total bond of $57,000.