Police arrest Gainesville man after high-speed car chase
Police arrested a Gainesville man after authorities said he led them on a 3-mile car chase Saturday morning.
At about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Steven Da’Rell Robinson, 30, drove with a missing tire at 70 mph down Northwest 13th Street, according to a police report.
As Robinson sped down the road, reaching 80 mph in a 45 zone, police noticed sparks jumping from the rim of his missing front-left tire, according to the report.
Police began to chase Robinson, who then drove through a bicycle lane and a red light on the intersection of Southwest 16th Street and South Main Street, according to the report.
Robinson, also known as Baby D, avoided hitting a semitruck and a car before eventually entering Aviara Apartments and running from police, according to the report.
Police then used a Taser on Robinson, who kept running before an officer tackled him to the ground, according to the report.
Authorities later discovered that, just minutes before the chase, Robinson had rear-ended a motorcycle on Williston Road and thrown the ride, Casey Brian Micciche, off it.
Micciche was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital, where he later spoke with police about the incident, according to the report.
Police arrested Robinson on charges of hit-and-run, reckless driving, resisting arrest, eluding police and driving with a suspended license.
Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail where, as of press time, he remains in lieu of a $135,000 bond.
Gainesville man threatens officer with knife, authorities say
Authorities arrested a Gainesville man late Saturday night after Gainesville Police said he threatened an officer with a 6-inch steak knife.
At about 11 p.m. Saturday, Russell Edward Andrews, 59, answered his front door while holding a knife, according to a police report.
Police responded to a disturbance at Aviara Apartments, located in the 200 block of S.E. 16 Ave., and knocked on Andrews’ door. The apartment was completely dark inside, according to the report.
After knocking, police heard footsteps and then silverware clinking together inside the apartment, according to the report.
When the door opened, Andrews began to yell and walk toward the officer, holding the knife over his own head, according to the report.
“What the f--k do you want?” Andrews said, according to the report.
The officer then pulled out his gun and ordered the man to drop his knife.
“Are you going to hurt me?” Andrews said to the officer, who told him once more to put the knife down, according to the report.
After he dropped the knife, police handcuffed Andrews and asked why he answered the door with a knife. Andrews then told police he was scared his neighbor would attack him with a pit bull, according to the report.
Police arrested Andrews on a charge of assaulting a police officer and took him to the Alachua County Jail where he remains, as of press time, in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
Contact Martin Vassolo at mvassolo@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @martindvassolo
