A Cape Coral man was arrested early Saturday after police say he drove erratically on Del Prado Boulevard, refused to stop, and later threatened law officers during his arrest.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, an officer attempted to stop a gray Ford Ranger in the 3600 block of Del Prado Boulevard South just after 1 a.m. after noticing the driver swerving across multiple lanes.
The officer believed the driver may have been experiencing a medical episode, a severe mechanical failure, or was impaired.
Police said the driver, Claude Gose Jr., 29, didn't pull over right away despite the officer's emergency light and siren being on.
Gose eventually turned into a parking lot, accelerated abruptly, and then finally stopped police say.
Officers reported hearing loud music from the truck and said Gose did not immediately roll down his window. When he did, officers noted his bloodshot, glassy eyes, dilated pupils, and the smell of alcohol.
A beer bottle was visible in the center console, and a spilled plastic cup containing an alcoholic beverage was on the passenger-side floorboard, police said.
Gose initially told officers he did not have his driver’s license, they said, though the officer could see his wallet on the floorboard, which he later picked up and provided.
The officer said Gose was unsteady on his feet and struggled to follow instructions. He initially agreed to take field sobriety tests but then became uncooperative, yelling and arguing with officers. After several minutes, police placed him under arrest on a charge of driving under the influence.
While officers gathered his belongings, Gose initially refused to answer whether he would take a breath test but later agreed. During this time, he allegedly made threatening statements toward an officer, saying he would find out where the officer lived after being released from jail and claiming he could "find out anything in 15 minutes."
Gose was taken to the Lee County Jail, where police said he continued making threats during the drive. Once at the jail, he allegedly resisted deputies and again directed threats at the arresting officer.
Gose was charged with driving under the influence and making a threat of death or serious bodily harm to a public official.
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