TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Driver Talks Himself Into Deeper Trouble, Port Richey Police Say

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEVIN WIATROWSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 24, 2009

Eric Marusak

Kareem Powell

PORT RICHEY - A New Port Richey man talked his way into a string of charges this morning after Port Richey police say his car crossed the southbound lanes of U.S. 19 and crashed into the fence surrounding the SunCruz casino boat dock on the Pithlachascotee River.

Before the 2:17 a.m. crash, a city police officer clocked Eric Marusak's silver Hyundai sport-utility vehicle doing 61 mph in a 45 mph zone.

As Marusak's vehicle approached the spot where the officer was waiting in his cruiser, the Hyundai made a sharp left, crossed the oncoming lanes of U.S. 19 and crashed into the chain-link fence, according to the police report.

When the officer approached the vehicle, he found Marusak, 37, of 6128 Oak Ridge Ave., behind the wheel. Marusak and his female companion were unharmed but appeared to be intoxicated, the officer reported.

According to the report, Marusak told the officer he was "wrecked, dude," before proceeding to admit his driver's license was suspended. The officer put Marusak in the back of his cruiser to interview him, prompting Marusak to pound on the plexiglass partition separating the back seat from the front.

Marusak threatened to kill the officer several times while he was being detained. When the officer opened the back door to handcuff Marusak, Marusak kicked him in the groin and punched him in the left shoulder, the officer reported.

Marusak continued to hit and kick the officer while he was being arrested, according to the report. He eventually did about $1,100 in damage to the officer's cruiser after being put back into the back seat.

In the end, Marusak was charged with driving under the influence; habitually driving with a suspended license; resisting arrest with violence; refusing to submit to a breath test; battery on a law enforcement officer; assault on a law enforcement officer; criminal mischief greater than $1,000; and violation of pre-trial release.

Marusak was being held at the Land O' Lake Jail on $21,000 bond.

Traffic Stop Yields Drug Charges

A Land O' Lakes man was charged with drug possession and driving under the influence after the Florida Highway Patrol stopped him for speeding on U.S. 41.

According to the FHP, Kareem Jamal Powell, 22, of 5904 Desert Peace Ave., was stopped at about 3:10 a.m. Friday for going 67 mph in a 50-mph zone. The trooper who stopped Powell said he failed roadside sobriety tests and smelled like smoke.

A search of Powell's car discovered more than 5 pounds of marijuana, $1,251 in cash, three firearms, an envelope containing 19 pills of oxycodone and a half-gram bag of crack cocaine. Two of the guns were confirmed as stole, according to the FHP report.

Powell was charged driving under the influence, possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of cocaine; possession of a firearm while committing a felony; and two counts of possession of stolen property.

Powell was being held this afternoon at the Land O' Lakes Jail on $50,650 bond.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT