Man accused of causing disruption at Port Charlotte school, deputies find 4 THC vapes in car

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. —

A man was arrested on Monday after being accused of being intoxicated while picking up his child from school in Port Charlotte, before interfering with school operations.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrest report, the school resource officer was assisting parents with student pickup at Meadow Park Elementary School when Matthew Abruzzese, 25, came to pick up his child.

Abruzzese fell over in the hall, got back up, and then exited the school with his child. As Abruzzese was exiting, the SRO smelled a mild alcoholic odor on his breath, the report said.

The officer then asked Abruzzese for his license, and when he presented it, it was discovered that his license was suspended, the report said. The officer then told Abruzzese that, due to his current state and because of the expired license, he would not be allowed to drive away.

Abruzzese then became argumentative, slamming his fists on top of his car and yelling at the officer, the report said. Abruzzese then stood in the middle of the roadway, flailing his arms and blocking the flow of traffic.

Abruzzese then ran off school grounds, but was caught shortly afterward. A search of his car revealed four non-medical vapes that tested positive for THC, the report said.

He was arrested and faces charges of interfering with the administration of an educational institution, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

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