A Cape Coral man is facing multiple charges after police said he ran from officers on an ATV Sunday night following a domestic violence incident in Northwest Cape Coral.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, officers were called to a home around 8:40 p.m. for a disturbance involving weapons.
Police said they received a call that Damion Scott Stafford, 44, had been drinking and was reported to be armed with a knife and making threats. He left the scene on a red Yamaha ATV before officers arrived.
Police set up a perimeter near Wilmington Parkway and Nelson Road North. Shortly after, an officer spotted a shirtless man matching Stafford's description on an ATV with no lights on. When the officer tried to stop him, the officers said he refused to pull over and sped away.
During the chase, which police say reached speeds of more than 80 miles per hour and spanned about 30 miles, Stafford reportedly drove through residential areas, looked back at the pursuing officer, and gestured as if holding a firearm.
At one point, he appeared to pull a large knife from his pocket, which he dropped in the roadway. The weapon was later recovered.
The pursuit ended when Stafford failed to make a turn and crashed into an embankment.
Police said he did not follow commands, and a K-9 officer's dog responded, which bit Stafford in the leg. He was then taken into custody.
He was treated for injuries from the crash and dog bite, and police noted signs of intoxication, including a blood-alcohol level of 0.20.
After being medically cleared, Stafford was booked into the Lee County Jail.
He faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, and possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon.
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