Trafficking in Meth, Fleeing to Elude Arrests

NEWS RELEASE 19-091
                                                                                Woodward, Dylan   Travis, Billy

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested two south Sarasota County residents after they fled from deputies and tossed a trafficking amount of drugs out of a car window.
 
Deputies were conducting surveillance in the area of Venice East Blvd., Friday afternoon just before 4:00 p.m., when they initiated a traffic stop on Dylan Woodward, DOB 09/22/91, who was driving with a suspended license. Along with Woodward, in his passenger seat was Billy Travis, DOB 08/12/84. As deputies attempted to stop the car in the area of Alsace Avenue and Sunnyside Drive, Woodward fled southbound toward Venice East Blvd., eventually driving south in the northbound lanes. As deputies pursued the vehicle, they witnessed Travis throw a small black pouch out the passenger window. The pursuit was cancelled out of an abundance of caution for public safety.
 
With support from the agency’s Aviation Unit, deputies located Woodward along River Road just south of U.S. 41, where he crashed his vehicle and fled on foot. With assistance from the North Port Police Department’s K-9 Unit, Woodward was located in a wooded area near Falcon Court. Travis was picked up by an unknown vehicle and warrants were issued for his arrest. Further investigation revealed the small black pouch Travis threw out the window contained drug paraphernalia as well as a trafficking amount of methamphetamine, totaling nearly 17 grams. Travis was located Wednesday morning and taken into custody without incident.  
 
Woodward, of 100 N. Pearl Avenue, Nokomis, is charged with Fleeing to Elude, Failure to Remain at the Scene of a Crash Involving Bodily Injury and Driving While License Suspended. He has more than two dozen prior arrests including for Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Grand Theft of a Vehicle. Woodward was released Wednesday on $45,000 bond.
 
Travis, of 268 Venice Blvd. E., Venice, is charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine More than 14 Grams, Principle to Fleeing to Elude, Failure to Remain at the Scene of a Crash Involving Bodily Injury, Evidence Destroying and Possession of Narcotic Equipment. His prior arrests include Battery and Driving While License Suspended. Today, Travis remains in custody on $67,000 bond.