Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Zane Thomas Gavin (Arrested)
DOB: 2/26/1991
Address:  2163 Orangepointe Avenue, Palm Harbor
Arrested  for Aggravated Battery on LEO, Resisting Arrest with Violence, Attempted Carjacking and Aggravated Battery

Deputy Richard Tipton (Injured)
Age: 56
Hire Date: 10/01/1995

Sharon L. Scroggins (Driver - Injured in altercation between suspect and deputy)
DOB: 09/02/1955
Address: 604 Hillsborough Street, Palm Harbor
Vehicle: 2000 Chevrolet Suburban

Maurice Dean Scherf (Passenger-Uninjured; Scroggins’ Father)
DOB: 02/20/1931
Address: 604 Hillsborough Street, Palm Harbor
Vehicle: 2000 Chevrolet Suburban

What:
Deputies have arrested a Palm Harbor man after he struck a deputy several times and attempted to carjack his patrol car. The deputy had approached the subject to assist him after it appeared he had been struck by a vehicle. When the deputy approached, the suspect struck him multiple times. The deputy was injured.

The driver exited her vehicle and in an attempt to assist the deputy, was also injured.

When:
The incident occurred at about 4:25 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015.

Where:
The incident occurred at Alderman Road and Westlake Boulevard in Palm Harbor.

Why/How:
Deputy Richard Tipton was on patrol eastbound on Alderman Road approaching Westlake Boulevard when he observed a male , later identified as 23-year-old Zane Thomas Gavin, running from the south side of the road into the path of a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban about 300 yards ahead of him. The driver of the Suburban, 49-year-old Sharon L. Scroggins, stopped abruptly and then backed up and changed lanes before stopping again.

Investigators say as Deputy Tipton came closer, he saw Gavin lying on his back in the roadway and it appeared that he had been struck by the Suburban. Deputy Tipton activated his emergency lights and reported what he had observed over the radio, but before he could exit his cruiser, Gavin had risen to his feet.

According to deputies, as Deputy Tipton approached Gavin to check his condition, Gavin threw a punch without warning, striking Deputy Tipton on the left side of his head. Gavin then proceeded to strike the deputy several more times, breaking his eyeglasses and knocking him backwards to the ground.

Deputies say Scroggins had gotten out of the vehicle to assist Deputy Tipton and sustained an injury to her head during the altercation between the suspect and the deputy.

Deputies say Gavin then got into Deputy Tipton’s marked patrol car and revved the engine as he attempted to put it in gear. Deputy Tipton, still dazed from the blows to his head, was able to get up, call for back-up, open the driver’s door to the cruiser and deploy his electronic control device on the suspect, with no effect.  Deputy Tipton utilized his ECD a second time to drive stun the suspect. Deputies say there was no apparent effect again.

According to deputies, Gavin then exited the cruiser and ran north across the median where he fell.

Investigators say Gavin continued to fight with back-up deputies who arrived to take him into custody.

Deputy Tipton was transported by ambulance to Mease-Countryside Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. He sustained injuries to his left ear, lower lip, and a broken tailbone.

Scroggins was also transported by ambulance to Florida Hospital North Pinellas for treatment of non-life threatening injuries to her head.

Her passenger, 83, year-old Maurice Scherf was not injured.

The suspect was transported by ambulance to Mease-Countryside Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Gavin was arrested for Aggravated Battery on LEO, Resisting Arrest with Violence, Attempted Carjacking and Aggravated Battery.  He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail. His photo will be available once the booking process is complete.

The investigation continues.