08-31-2012, 11:10 AM
A Panama City man faces a host of charges after a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer saw him run over and kill a brown pelican in St. Andrew Bay, then flee when the officer tried to stop him.
Brian R. Robinson, 31, of 2005 Drummond Ave., Panama City, is charged with killing a brown pelican, which is a protected species; fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer; boating under the influence; and violation of an idle-speed zone in Grand Lagoon.
According to an arrest report, FWC Officer Dennis Palmer was patrolling St. Andrew Bay on Aug. 17 at 6:15 p.m. and approaching Carl Gray Park when he saw someone in black swim trunks on a yellow and black personal watercraft (PWC) circling a pelican on the water, then running over and killing the bird. Palmer got within 30 yards of the person, later identified as Robinson, and ordered him to stop.
Robinson, however, had other plans.
"He looked at me and took off for Hathaway Bridge and toward the Panama City Pass," Palmer said.
As other FWC officers responded by boat and vehicles on Thomas Drive, Palmer pursued Robinson to Grand Lagoon, where Robinson abandoned the PWC at Treasure Island Marina and attempted to hide in the facility's men's room.
Palmer's report notes that Robinson consented to a breath test, where he measured .153, well over the legal impairment limit. Robinson was transported to the Bay County Jail. His PWC was seized as evidence. The dead pelican was later collected.
Brian R. Robinson, 31, of 2005 Drummond Ave., Panama City, is charged with killing a brown pelican, which is a protected species; fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer; boating under the influence; and violation of an idle-speed zone in Grand Lagoon.
According to an arrest report, FWC Officer Dennis Palmer was patrolling St. Andrew Bay on Aug. 17 at 6:15 p.m. and approaching Carl Gray Park when he saw someone in black swim trunks on a yellow and black personal watercraft (PWC) circling a pelican on the water, then running over and killing the bird. Palmer got within 30 yards of the person, later identified as Robinson, and ordered him to stop.
Robinson, however, had other plans.
"He looked at me and took off for Hathaway Bridge and toward the Panama City Pass," Palmer said.
As other FWC officers responded by boat and vehicles on Thomas Drive, Palmer pursued Robinson to Grand Lagoon, where Robinson abandoned the PWC at Treasure Island Marina and attempted to hide in the facility's men's room.
Palmer's report notes that Robinson consented to a breath test, where he measured .153, well over the legal impairment limit. Robinson was transported to the Bay County Jail. His PWC was seized as evidence. The dead pelican was later collected.