08-14-2012, 11:10 AM
Lieutenant Jonathan Ruggiero and Officer Stephen Rice, enforcement officers for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were on water patrol in Lee County conducting a fisheries inspection, when they observed a vessel almost collide with a seawall. The officers followed the vessel to a nearby dock and made contact with the operator and conducted a fisheries and boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the operator showed signs of alcohol impairment and when asked if he had any alcohol to drink, the individual replied "one...maybe two." Field sobriety tasks were performed and the operator was placed under arrest for BUI. While placing the subject in handcuffs, another individual started approaching the officers stating "If you're going to take him, you're going to have to take me too." The officers deployed their tasers, but fortunately several other subjects detained the individual, before any force was needed. The vessel operator was transported to the Lee County Jail where he refused to provide a breath sample.
Officer Stephen Rice was on water patrol when he observed a vessel nearly strike a sand bar. Officer Rice made contact with the operator and while conducting a boating safety inspection, the operator showed signs of alcohol impairment. When asked to perform field sobriety tasks, the operator refused and was arrested for BUI based on officer observations. At the Lee County Jail, the subject submitted a breath sample which resulted in a 0.244% blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
While on land patrol near a lake, Lieutenant Jonathan Ruggiero observed two PWCs approaching a boat ramp. One of the operators was drinking a beer, but quickly tried to conceal it. When Lieutenant Ruggiero instructed the operator to maneuver his vessel over to his location, the operator stared at him, but continued traveling toward the ramp. When he reached the boat ramp, the operator fell off the PWC. Lieutenant Ruggiero made contact with the operator and during a vessel safety inspection, the operator showed signs of alcohol impairment. Field sobriety tasks were conducted and the operator was placed under arrest for BUI. At the jail, the individual submitted a breath sample which resulted in a 0.193% BAC.
Officer Stephen Rice was conducting fisheries inspections at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, when he encountered an individual fishing from the pier. A warrants check revealed the individual had an active warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail.
Lieutenant Jonathan Ruggiero and Officer Stephen Rice were on water patrol when they observed a vessel hidden in a creek. As the vessel proceeded to leave the area, the officers made contact with the operator and conducted boating safety and marine fisheries inspections. The individual had no fish onboard, but did show signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks were conducted and the operator was placed under arrest for BUI. The operator was delivered to the Lee County Jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
Lieutenant Joe Allen was on vessel patrol in E-Pool of the Kissimmee River when he observed two subjects in a camouflage Jon boat. After making contact with the occupants, Lieutenant Allen observed three cast nets inside the vessel, one of which contained a black crappie and several bream. After Miranda, one of the individuals confessed to taking the game fish with the cast net and received a notice to appear in court for the violation. In June, Officer Matt Ervin had arrested the same subject for the same violation.
PASCO COUNTY
On Sunday evening at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers Clint Williams and Luke Davenport, and K9 Officer Joe Wolff were dispatched to a vessel in distress in the Gulf of Mexico, Pasco County. The USCG had reported the vessel broke down and was requesting assistance. A nine-year-old boy onboard the vessel had contacted his mother by cell phone and stated that he was frightened because all of the adults onboard were drunk. At approximately 11:45 p.m., Officers Williams, Davenport, and Wolff located the vessel approximately ½ mile south of the Cotee River channel, in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel had no running lights displayed, and a safety inspection revealed two other violations. After towing the vessel safely to the boat ramp, Officer Williams conducted field sobriety exercises with the operator. Officer Williams determined that the operator was impaired and arrested him for BUI. The operator gave a breath sample of .137 and .134 approximately three hours after the initial stop.
Officer Stephen Rice was on water patrol when he observed a vessel nearly strike a sand bar. Officer Rice made contact with the operator and while conducting a boating safety inspection, the operator showed signs of alcohol impairment. When asked to perform field sobriety tasks, the operator refused and was arrested for BUI based on officer observations. At the Lee County Jail, the subject submitted a breath sample which resulted in a 0.244% blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
While on land patrol near a lake, Lieutenant Jonathan Ruggiero observed two PWCs approaching a boat ramp. One of the operators was drinking a beer, but quickly tried to conceal it. When Lieutenant Ruggiero instructed the operator to maneuver his vessel over to his location, the operator stared at him, but continued traveling toward the ramp. When he reached the boat ramp, the operator fell off the PWC. Lieutenant Ruggiero made contact with the operator and during a vessel safety inspection, the operator showed signs of alcohol impairment. Field sobriety tasks were conducted and the operator was placed under arrest for BUI. At the jail, the individual submitted a breath sample which resulted in a 0.193% BAC.
Officer Stephen Rice was conducting fisheries inspections at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, when he encountered an individual fishing from the pier. A warrants check revealed the individual had an active warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail.
Lieutenant Jonathan Ruggiero and Officer Stephen Rice were on water patrol when they observed a vessel hidden in a creek. As the vessel proceeded to leave the area, the officers made contact with the operator and conducted boating safety and marine fisheries inspections. The individual had no fish onboard, but did show signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks were conducted and the operator was placed under arrest for BUI. The operator was delivered to the Lee County Jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
Lieutenant Joe Allen was on vessel patrol in E-Pool of the Kissimmee River when he observed two subjects in a camouflage Jon boat. After making contact with the occupants, Lieutenant Allen observed three cast nets inside the vessel, one of which contained a black crappie and several bream. After Miranda, one of the individuals confessed to taking the game fish with the cast net and received a notice to appear in court for the violation. In June, Officer Matt Ervin had arrested the same subject for the same violation.
PASCO COUNTY
On Sunday evening at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers Clint Williams and Luke Davenport, and K9 Officer Joe Wolff were dispatched to a vessel in distress in the Gulf of Mexico, Pasco County. The USCG had reported the vessel broke down and was requesting assistance. A nine-year-old boy onboard the vessel had contacted his mother by cell phone and stated that he was frightened because all of the adults onboard were drunk. At approximately 11:45 p.m., Officers Williams, Davenport, and Wolff located the vessel approximately ½ mile south of the Cotee River channel, in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel had no running lights displayed, and a safety inspection revealed two other violations. After towing the vessel safely to the boat ramp, Officer Williams conducted field sobriety exercises with the operator. Officer Williams determined that the operator was impaired and arrested him for BUI. The operator gave a breath sample of .137 and .134 approximately three hours after the initial stop.