CCSO arrests woman after brief pursuit in Port Charlotte

A woman is suspected of dragging a Deputy while fleeing a traffic stop and leading authorities on a brief chase. Then, when he vehicle became disabled in a yard on a dead end street, she threw punches at canines and Deputies until she was detained.

Melissa King, 41, faces charges of Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting with Violence, Driving on a Revoked License, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additional charges are pending, the press release states, from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Near 10:40 a.m., a Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a blue Mustang for several violations. When the passenger in King’s vehicle turned the Mustang off, King attempted to start the car as the Deputy opened the door to stop her.

Then, the car started and King sped forward as she dragged the Deputy approximately 10 feet before he could break free, per the CCSO press release. King would soon be involved in a minor crash with another vehicle at Toledo Blade and Tamiami Trail, which FHP is investigating.

King would flee the crash, soon turning onto Kings Highway and later, turning onto Suncoast Blvd. and then onto Tangelo Ave. where she reached a dead end. As she drove the vehicle into a private yard, it became disabled.

Deputies would surround the Mustang. When she exited the vehicle, swung punches at the Deputies and on patrol canines, until she was detained.

King has been transported to Charlotte County Jail.