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Immokalee man arrested after deputies say he attempted to run them over during a traffic stop

James Belsince.jpg
Posted at 2:15 PM, Dec 06, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-06 14:15:25-05

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- Deputies say an Immokalee man attempted to run them over to avoid having his vehicle searched during a traffic stop this week.

37-year-old James Belsince is charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of a crash and resisting arrest without violence.

According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, on Sunday night, deputies stopped Belsince on North 18th Street for not stopping at a stop sign. When informed by deputies that they were going to search his van for drugs, Belsince got back into the van and refused to come out, even after being pepper sprayed.

They say Belsice then backed into a patrol vehicle, then put the van in drive and aimed for two deputies, who retreated into a yard and fired a shot at the van in an effort to stop him.

Belsince later crashed the van and fled on foot.

He was later taken into custody Thursday night.

Due to the discharge of a firearm during the incident, the agency’s Professional Responsibility Bureau will conduct an investigation to ensure that policies and procedures were followed.