Three people arrested following drug bust in Florida

FLORIDA — A beer theft at a local 7-Eleven on Saturday night ended with a brief police pursuit and the arrest of three individuals on multiple charges, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on June 28, when Cpl. Michael Stringer was refueling his patrol vehicle at the 7-Eleven on SE Baseline Road.

A store clerk approached him and reported that someone had just stolen three cases of Modelo beer, an act reportedly captured on the store’s dash camera.

Cpl. Stringer spotted the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

The driver, later identified as 31-year-old Jaitai Williams, refused to stop and fled onto Southeast 92nd Loop. A brief pursuit ensued, ending when Stringer executed a PIT maneuver to bring the vehicle to a halt.

During the arrest, authorities say 48-year-old front-seat passenger Raymond Myrick was seen throwing items from the vehicle that were later confirmed to contain THC, cocaine, and fentanyl. Myrick was arrested on drug possession charges.

The back-seat passenger, 19-year-old Steven Hogan, was identified as the individual who stole the beer. Deputies recovered the stolen beer from his seat area.

All three suspects were taken to the Marion County Jail. Williams is charged with fleeing to elude law enforcement, Myrick faces charges for possession of cocaine and marijuana, and Hogan is charged with retail petit theft.