ST. PETERSBURG — Police arrested a man they say struck a police cruiser with his car, fled the scene and pulled a gun on an officer trying to capture him late Monday night.
Preston Bernard Johns, 22, of St. Petersburg, faces many charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities say the incident began at about 10:45 p.m. Monday when a speeding 2011 Nissan VRS struck a police cruiser at 39th Avenue S and Sixth Street.
Johns, police said, was behind the wheel. He didn't have his lights on, and ran from the car after the collision.
Officer Lisa Gaskins, 30, was transported to Edward White Hospital with minor injuries.
Police called for a K-9 unit, which tracked Johns to Lake Maggiore Park. Acting Sergeant Kevin Sullivan, 37, tackled the man to the ground, police said.
The men began struggling, and Johns pulled a 9mm automatic pistol from his waist band, police said. Sullivan disarmed Johns, who records show is on probation for armed robbery, police said.
He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail early Tuesday morning, where he remained without bail.
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