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Pinellas Deputy Shoots At Burglary Suspect

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TBO.com

Published: November 17, 2008

Thinking a burglary suspect had pointed a gun his way, Pinellas County Deputy Barnett Bernoff fired one shot at him Sunday night, authorities say.

Deputies later learned the man was holding a flashlight.

The deputy's bullet missed, and the man, 28-year-old Michael Barravecchio of Clearwater, went to the ground and complied with deputies. Barravecchio was arrested on charges of burglary and possession of burglary tools.

The deputy's bullet was found in the exterior wall of an unoccupied residence, a vacant rental property, sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said.

No one was hurt.

Bernoff, 60, has been placed on administrative leave with pay, which authorities say is routine. The sheriff's office hired him Sept. 25, 2000.

The incident began about 11:23 p.m. Sunday when Bernoff and Deputy Charles Redinger reported to a suspicious vehicle call at Harbor Lights Mobile Home Park in Seminole.

They saw someone leaving a home, exiting a door in a carport, deputies say. Bernoff detained the man at gunpoint and fired after seeing what he thought was a gun barrel pointed at him, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

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

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