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By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 30, 2001
Cape Coral man faces DUI charge after chase
SAN ANTONIO -- A Cape Coral man, arrested by Pasco County Sheriff's deputies after a short car chase Saturday afternoon in the breakdown lane of Interstate 75, was so intoxicated that he couldn't respond to deputies commands to stop, his arrest report says.
Joseph Donald Robbins, 42, was found stuck in traffic near State Road 52 and I-75. Motorists in Hernando County had complained about his driving; and Pasco County Deputy Angel Rojas was waiting for him when he creeped by, slowed in traffic because of an accident.
When Rojas walked up to the 1989 Buick LeSabre Robbins was in, he was holding a beer in one hand. Rojas wrote in a report that Robbins was told to pull over, but said no and took off down the emergency lane.
Robbins had to stop when he got to the accident and would have kept driving if Florida Highway Patrol Trooper J.K. Broxson hadn't pulled out his gun and ordered him to stop.
Even then, Rojas wrote that Robbins refused to get out of the car or turn off the ignition, both of which Rojas had to help him do. In the car, Rojas counted 18 empty Budweiser beer cans and four unopened cans in the passenger seat next to him.
Robbins blood alcohol level was measured at 0.216. The level at which a person is presume intoxicated is 0.08.
Robbins was arrested and charged with fleeing a police officer, failing to obey a lawful command, driving under the influence and reckless driving. He was being held at the Land O'Lakes jail Sunday night in lieu of $11,250 bail.
NEW PORT RICHEY -- A Port Richey man was arrested on a charge of lewd and lascivious fondling Saturday morning after a 15-year-old girl told New Port Richey police he fondled her after offering a back massage.
Robert Bankston, 39, 7520 Galahad Road, was arrested and gave police a written statement that he did kiss the girl and rub her back and "lower back."
The girl told police that Bankston began massaging her neck and back, and then rubbed her breasts and buttocks underneath her clothes. She told police Bankston then kissed her.
One of the girl's friends, with her mother, overheard the girl crying and confronted Bankston. They said Bankston apologized and left.
Bankston was later found and charged with lewd and lascivious fondling. He was also found to have an outstanding Hillsborough County warrant on a contempt of court charge.
Bankston was being held Sunday evening at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $2,500 bailon the Pasco County charge. For the Hillsborough County warrant, Bankston must pay $1,500 to have it purged or serve time in jail.