Lionell Bates, 27, faces gun and drug trafficking charges after New Port Richey police say he attempted to ram a patrol vehicle Tuesday night in a stolen SUV while fleeing a traffic stop before crashing into a car and running from the scene. [New Port Richey Police Department]
According to police, 27-year-old Lionell Bates, sped away from an officer who attempted to stop his 2015 Range Rover for having dark tinted windows on Louisiana Avenue near Madison Street.
While driving eastbound on Louisiana Avenue, police say Bates drove into the westbound lane in an attempt to crash head-on into another patrol vehicle.
As that officer left the roadway to avoid being hit, police say Bates continued eastbound on Louisiana Avenue and crossed Carob Drive before driving through a post in a driveway at 6730 Carob Drive and crashing into a Toyota SUV as the residents were entering.
Bates ran from the scene but was captured a short distance away, police said.
Bates faces charges including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, felon in possession of a firearm, and various drug charges after police found cocaine, marijuana and $1,150 in the SUV.