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Police: Man Rammed Patrol Car, Tried To Run Over Troopers

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

PLANT CITY - Michael Joseph Lizzi rammed a Hillsborough County sergeant's patrol car with his Chevrolet Monte Carlo this morning and tried running over two Florida Highway Patrol troopers, authorities say.

Troopers tried pulling over Lizzi, 49, for reckless driving in the Plant City area. He stopped about 1:31 a.m. on the right shoulder of the eastbound ramp of Interstate 4 at Thonotosassa Road.

While troopers were out of their vehicles with weapons drawn, Lizzi, who goes by the alias "Mr. Pooper," turned his 2007 Chevrolet around and tried running them over, a criminal arrest affidavit says.

A shift commander told the troopers not to chase Lizzi.

At 1:54 a.m., Lizzi rammed a patrol car with a sergeant inside, according to a criminal arrest affidavit. That incident occurred at Interstate 4 at 22nd Street.

Lizzi barricaded himself in his Chevrolet. After deputies entered the car, he resisted arrest and ignored verbal commands.

He was arrested at 1:56 a.m.

Deputies found a loaded rifle in his car, the affidavit says.

Lizzi was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing to elude, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest without violence.

Lizzi, of 55 Live Oak Road in Winter Garden, remained in Orient Road Jail on Sunday. His bail was set at $38,000.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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