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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2002
Motorcyclist is accused of trying to ram deputy
SPRING HILL -- A 41-year-old Spring Hill motorcyclist was arrested Thursday after he tried to run over a sheriff's deputy off Spring Hill Drive, authorities said.
Deputy Scott Lamia said he clocked Michael E. Clements going 63 mph in a 45 mph zone as Clements drove his black Harley-Davidson west on Spring Hill Drive at 12:55 a.m. Thursday.
Lamia said he turned on his lights, but Clements did not stop. He said Clements turned on Waterfall Drive, then suddenly hit his brakes. Lamia said he swerved to miss Clements.
Lamia said he got out of his car and told Clements to turn off his motorcycle. He said Clements pointed the motorcycle at him and accelerated. Lamia said he jumped out of the way.
Another deputy chased Clements, who pulled into his garage at 8364 Eldridge Road. He was arrested.
Deputies said Clements used profanities and smelled of alcohol. He was charged with attempting to assault and flee from an officer and driving under the influence. He was released Thursday from the Hernando County Jail on $10,500 bail.
SPRING HILL -- A 24-year-old was arrested early Friday after he left Denny's restaurant without paying his bill, almost ran over his server in the parking lot and then led Hernando County deputies on a chase into Pasco County, where he crashed into a patrol car, authorities said.
Stephen F. Perry of Oakland Park in Broward County was charged with fleeing from officers, resisting arrest, defrauding an innkeeper and aggravated assault.
Authorities said when Perry left Denny's on Commercial Way without paying, his server tried to wave him down in the parking lot. She said Perry hit the gas and drove toward her, forcing her to jump out of the way.
At 1 a.m., several Hernando deputies traveling about 100 mph followed Perry into Pasco County, where other deputies joined the chase.
Pasco deputies placed spikes in front of Perry's car that flattened his tire, authorities said. He kept driving and slammed into a police cruiser before stopping on a dead-end street.
Authorities said Perry got out of the car and ran, as several deputies chased him. Perry then saw an officer in front of him and fell to the ground, authorities said.
Perry was driving a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer that had been reported stolen from Broward County, authorities said.
He was held Friday in lieu of $65,750 bail at the Pasco County Jail, according to a spokesman.