MEDIA RELEASE
Date: December 12, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Bronson, Florida-On December 12, 2009 an off duty Levy County deputy received information that Anthony Leroy Thomas was at the Bronson Dollar General store. The off duty deputy knew that Thomas was wanted since June 2009 and he notified the Communication Center.
Deputy Joey Barrera responded and made contact with Thomas inside the Dollar General store. Thomas gave a false name and stated that he could prove his identity by retrieving his identification from his vehicle. Thomas and Deputy Barrera walked outside to his vehicle and Thomas began fighting Deputy Barrera in the parking lot.
Upon Deputy Jimmy Anderson and Corporal Todd Houchin arriving on the scene that seen the two fighting on the ground. Thomas was tasered on several times and he was able to pull the barbs out. Thomas had to be physically restrained and subdued and it is believed that Thomas was under the influence of narcotics. Thomas was treated and released at Nature Coast Hospital and transported to the Levy County Jail.
Thomas was wanted on a Levy County warrant for fleeing attempting to elude a police officer and driving with a revoked driver's license. Thomas was arrested on a State Parole violation warrant for two counts of fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer during a high speed pursuit, driving while license suspended or revoked and carrying a concealed weapon. Thomas was additional charged for three counts of resisting arrest with violence and one count of battery on a police officer.
Defendant:
Anthony Leroy Thomas
320 Glover Street
07/17/67
###