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Mystery bloodied car leads to arrest in Sarasota

Posted at 12:48 PM, Jan 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-05 14:21:29-05

SARASOTA, Fla. -- A Missouri ex-con told deputies that the blood covering a car was from hitting a deer.  But forensics disagreed.

**NOTE** -- Some may find the images below disturbing

80-year-old Leslie Achter is now charged with Possession of an Altered Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, a resident called 911 Tuesday night, saying a car covered in blood was in front of his property on Clark Road just of I-75, and it may have been in an accident.

Arriving deputies found Achter at the scene with a cut on his arm.  Achter says he was a passenger in the car, and said they hit a deer and the driver fled the scene.

On the way to the hospital EMS noticed a firearm cylinder pin fall out of Achter's pocket.  He later admitted there was a firearm hidden in the vehicle.  Investigators later located a revolver in the trunk with the barrel cut off and the serial numbers removed.

A forensic crew also confirmed that the blood was not from an animal.

The Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed that Achter had recent been released from prison and is a convicted felon.  Past convictions include Manslaughter, Aggravated Stalking, and Escape.