The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men on drug charges after they fled from deputies but were soon located with support from the agency’s Aviation Unit.

 

Tactical Unit deputies first encountered 27-year-old Dylan Rodgers and 33-year-old Frank Crouse late Tuesday night in the area of Seminole Blvd. and Tamiami Trail in Venice. Both men were riding bicycles and failed to stop at a stop sign, before cutting off a marked patrol vehicle. Deputies attempted to contact both men at the Alligator Bridge however, the duo fled eastbound along a small path on the trail. With support from the agency’s Aviation Unit, deputies watched as Rodgers tossed a backpack into a wooded area while fleeing from deputies. Soon, deputies contacted the men who admitted they fled because they were in possession of drugs. Rodgers specifically admitted to fleeing due to an outstanding warrant. Upon search of the backpack, deputies recovered a small quantity of methamphetamine, glass pipe, pills, bolt cutters and various tools. Both men were taken into custody and booked into the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.

 

“This is another great example of how beneficial our Aviation Unit is when it comes to supporting units on the ground,” commented Sheriff Tom Knight. “Whether our helicopter is assisting on a felony traffic stop, a missing elderly patient, or a brushfire, they offer a great deal of support by providing an extra eye from the sky. In this case, these narcotics and tools often used to commit burglaries, may have never been recovered.”

 

Rodgers, DOB 06/05/92, of Sarasota, is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Narcotic Equipment, Resisting an Officer, and Destruction of Evidence. He is being held on $4,000 bond. Upon his arrest, Rodgers was also charged with a warrant from the North Port Police Department for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked 2^nd Subsequent Offense.

 

Crouse, DOB 09/20/86, of 800 Riviera Blvd., Venice, is charged with Possession of Narcotic Equipment and Resisting an Officer. He was released Wednesday on $1,000 bond.