Florida man arrested on New Year's Day for throwing lit fireworks at patrol car: FHP
Fireworks were found in an SUV after a man was arrested for throwing lit fireworks at troopers on New Year's Day (Courtesy: FHP).
HERNANDO, Fla. - A Citrus County man was arrested on New Year's Day after throwing lit fireworks at a trooper sitting in his patrol car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said Ramses Jimenez, 20, was charged with aggravated assault on an officer and throwing a destructive device.
The trooper was stopped in his patrol car shortly before 10 a.m. on Wednesday when the incident happened, according to the trooper's report.
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The trooper said he saw a white 2018 Dodge SUV make a turn from East Wagon Trail onto North Carl G Rose Highway in the Hernando community with the rear passenger window rolled down.
As the SUV turned, the trooper said he heard several loud pops and noticed clouds of smoke and grass coming from the ground directly next to, on top of, and in front of the patrol car.
Fireworks were found in an SUV after a man was arrested for throwing lit fireworks at troopers on New Year's Day (Courtesy: FHP).
After the trooper pulled over the SUV, Jimenez admitted to throwing fireworks out of the car and apologized, then was arrested.
FHP said troopers found a bag of 1 ½ inch 40/16 "Black Cat" fireworks, with one package remaining unopened and five clusters of fireworks missing from the second set.
Troopers also said the fireworks were clearly labeled "WARNING – EXPLOSIVE."
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Jimenez said he had already safely lit the fireworks in a nearby neighborhood and did not know what to do when he saw the marked patrol vehicle despite being told by the driver and the front passenger not to throw the fireworks at the trooper.
Troopers released no other information on the other people in the SUV, who were not arrested.
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