Allegedly Illegal Window Tinting Leads to Chase and Multiple Felony Charges in New Port Richey

A Dade City native is facing almost two dozen charges after police in New Port Richey say they discovered significant quantities of controlled substances and firearms upon apprehending him after a vehicular chase.

Twenty-seven-year-old Lionell Dieon Bates initially attracted the attention of law enforcement due to allegedly illegal window tint on the 2015 Range Rover he was driving. The chase allegedly began on Louisiana Avenue near Madison Street, where Bates was driving westbound. Police say he then crossed over to the eastbound lane in an alleged attempt at ramming another police vehicle. That police cruiser left the road as Bates’ vehicle proceeded across Carob Drive and allegedly struck another vehicle at a residence on that street. Bates was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. A woman whom police declined to identify allegedly received non-life threatening injuries as a result of the wreck as well.

Police say they found cocaine, cannabis, and over $1,000 in cash in the SUV, which the Florida Highway Patrol indicates is listed as having been stolen in early 2015 in North Carolina records.

Bates, who lists an address in Lacoochee as his residence, was booked into the Pasco County Jail shortly after dawn last Wednesday on two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of carrying a weapon during a felony, one count of trafficking in over 28 grams of cocaine, five counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of trafficking in over seven grams of oxycodone, two counts of trafficking in over four grams of heroin, one count of possessing over twenty grams of cannabis, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of resisting an officer without violence, one count of evidence tampering, one count of fleeing or eluding with disregard to safety, one count of aggravated assault on a law officer, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and one count of reckless driving. FHP troopers say more charges could be added in relation to the allegedly stolen SUV. He is being held in lieu of a $587,150 bond.

The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand have been representing people charged with capital murder, felony drug charges, drunk driving, government fraud, and white-collar crimes for over a quarter century. Contact our office today to discuss your Tampa Bay-area state or federal charges.