Air-1 Aids in Patrol Apprehension

NEWS RELEASE 18-086 - APRIL 20, 2018
Van Name, William

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a 55-year-old Laurel man who ran from deputies because he thought there was a warrant for his arrest.  

On Thursday night just after 11:00 p.m., deputies were in the area of Church Street and Scott Street in Laurel conducting proactive patrol. Deputies attempted to make contact with William Van Name who fled westbound on his bicycle. The Aviation Unit responded to assist patrol deputies search for Van Name who was spotted in the back of a boat in a residential area along Church Street. Several deputies responded and ordered Van Name to comply before deploying a taser. Van Name complied for a short time before sliding off the bow of the boat and running northbound towards Collins Road. Deputies soon apprehended Van Name who admitted he fled from deputies because he failed to check in with his probation officer Monday and thought there was a warrant for his arrest. As of Thursday night, there was no warrant entered in the system.

Van Name, DOB 01/27/63, now faces a single count of Resisting an Officer and Violation of Probation. He has 11 prior arrests in Sarasota County for Possession of Cocaine, Fleeing to Elude, and Failure to Appear. Van Name remains in custody today without bond.

The entire incident was captured from Air-1 and can be viewed on the sheriff’s office YouTube channel by following this link.