Felon Attempts To Run Over Winter Haven Police Officers

WINTER HAVEN, FL -- An Auburndale man with a felony warrant attempted to strike Winter Haven Police officers with his pickup truck when they responded to a suspicious persons call.

No officers were injured.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Friday, March 23. Winter Haven Police officers responded to a call of someone banging on a window at a home at 1908 Fairfax Court NE in Winter Haven. The resident said that an unknown black man was banging on her window for no apparent reason.

When officers arrived, they found a silver Ford F150 pickup truck in an adjacent yard with the parking lights on and the engine running. As officers approached the truck, they saw Michael Jamie Harris, 41, of 616 Orange St., Auburndale, sitting in the driver's seat.

Multiple officers at the scene instructed Harris to turn the truck off and exit the vehicle. Harris ignored the officers' commands, put the truck in drive and accelerated toward the officers, who were able to jump out of the way.

Officers returned to their marked patrol vehicles and activated their emergency equipment in an attempt to stop Harris. Instead, Harris reportedly drove away at a high speed. Fearing that he would endanger other drivers on the road, the officers turned off their lights and sirens and continued following him at a safe distance into Auburndale.

Harris finally pulled over near 2075 Alderman Road in Auburndale, jumped out of the truck and began running. A Winter Haven Police officer caught him and took him into custody.

During a search of Harris’ truck, officers found methamphetamine and a large knife.

Harris was booked into the Polk County Jail on three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a weapon by a felon, fleeing to elude, reckless, high-speed driving and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Harris’ felony warrant is for tampering with a witness. He has previous convictions for fleeing to elude, battery, possession of drugs and resisting arrest.

Image via Winter Haven Police