TAMPA - Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office used a Taser on a man who fled on a bicycle and resisted arrest Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit.
Andrew Lovonne Gaither, 45, of 1403 E. 127th Ave., Tampa, was charged with fleeing and eluding a police officer, resisting arrest without violence, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana.
Gaither, whose occupation is listed as a maintenance worker for a lawn and pest control service, also was accused of violating probation on six counts each of animal cruelty and confinement of an animal without food and water.
According to arrest reports, this is what happened about 11:15 p.m. Saturday:
Deputies attempted to stop Gaither at the intersection of 122nd Avenue and 15th Street North because the bicycle he was riding did not have lights. Gaither pedaled away from the officer about 150 feet, ignoring the patrol car's lights and siren.
When Gaither made a sudden stop, deputies saw him digging in his front pants pocket. Deputies approached, asking Gaither several times to put his hands up. Gaither refused to remove his hand from his pocket and a deputy stunned him with a Taser.
Cocaine and marijuana were found in the pocket.
Gaither is being held tonight without bail at Orient Road Jail.
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