Carson Zorn
•9/1/2026
Charlotte County deputies arrested a man on Monday after they said he led them on a chase following a failed attempt at a traffic stop. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrest report, at around noon, a deputy attempted a traffic stop on a silver Mercedes Convertible Coupe after recognizing the driver as Igor Vatulko, 35, who the deputy knew did not have a valid driver's license. The traffic stop was attempted on Atwater Street approaching Kenilworth Boulevard, but instead of stopping, Vatulko drove off at a high speed, leading deputies on a chase, the report said. Vatulko passed other vehicles while driving at 60 mph in a 40 mph zone and turned down multiple streets in an attempt to avoid deputies. According to the arrest report, at one point, a white plastic cup was thrown out of the passenger window of Vatulko's vehicle. The cup appeared to either have liquid or a white powder in it. Vatulko continued the chase down multiple streets before parking his car behind a law office on Veterans Boulevard, the report said. Vatulko then got out of the car and ran away toward the wooded tree line by a canal. Deputies surrounded Vatulko and were able to apprehend him. Vatulko was placed under arrest. Vatulko's car was searched, and deputies discovered a white crystalline residue that tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said. Deputies also found a sleeve of eight tablets of Sedatril, which were not in a prescription bottle. Vatulko faces charges of fleeing or eluding law enforcement officers with disregard for public safety, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
