Suspect Leads Deputy On 20 MPH Pursuit

Suspect Leads Deputy On 20 MPH Pursuit

BROOKSVILLE - Deputies pursued a man for a short distance at 20 mph when he refused to pull over early Saturday morning.

The pursuit began around 3 a.m. as a deputy sat in the median of State Road 50 outside Brooksville Regional Hospital. He reportedly clocked an approaching car traveling 80 mph, so he turned on his lights to initiate a traffic stop.

The driver, Edward Pokorny, 32, immediately slowed to 20 mph on S.R. 50, but did not stop, despite the siren wailing behind him. Several times he stuck his arms out the window and lost control of the car, a report states.

The deputy followed Pokorny as he turned south onto California Street and as they approached the traffic light at Wiscon Road, the suspect began to slow down. Pokorny stuck his head out the window and told the deputy he wasn't stopping because he was afraid his pursuer was not a real deputy, according to a report.

The deputy directed him to the well-lit 7-Eleven nearby to surrender, but Pokorny refused and continued to his home at 16089 Blair Ave. When he stopped, Pokorny was arrested on charges of fleeing to elude, possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, refusal to submit to blood test and driving on a suspended license.

Police: Steroids Dealer Arrested In Sting

BROOKSVILLE - An undercover operation yielded a suspected dealer in anabolic steroids on Sunday.

Police say they used a confidential informant to buy steroids from Michael Maurer Jr., 41, on Saturday and Sunday. Following the second purchase, Maurer was arrested and his home at 23110 Skyview Court was searched.

Police reportedly discovered more steroids and "hundreds" of syringes used to administer the drug. Maurer was charged with the sale and possession of anabolic steroids.

Police Make Arrest In Failed Robbery

BROOKSVILLE - Police say they have arrested the woman responsible for failed pharmacy robbery in January.

Laureen Fernandez, 28, of 4211 Payton St., is named as the woman who demanded prescription painkillers from Brooksville Pharmacy on Jan. 15. The cashier didn't have access to the drugs, however, so Fernandez fled and left her ski mask behind, according to a report.

Police submitted the mask for testing and said they were able to match DNA evidence to their suspect. Fernandez reportedly admitted to the crime and was arrested on a charge of attempted robbery.