Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Deputy Jason Fineran (Injured)
Age: 31
Date of Hire: 10/20/2014

Marcel F. Stankovic (Driver- Arrested)
DOB: 10/03/1988
4719 28^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, one count of Driving Under the Influence, one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, one count of Resist an Officer with Violence, one count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage.

What:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrest a man after he intentionally struck a deputy with his vehicle and lead deputies on a pursuit before crashing into two parked cars.

When:
The incident occurred at about 2 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred at the Oz Gentleman’s Club located at 13577 US Highway 19 North, in unincorporated Clearwater.

The suspect crashed his vehicle at 6445 40^th Avenue North, in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

The suspect was apprehended near a residence located at 6428 41^st Avenue North, in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Why/How: 
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrest a man after he intentionally struck a deputy with his vehicle and lead deputies on a pursuit before crashing into two parked cars.

According to deputies, 28-year-old Marcel Stanovick was a patron at the Oz Gentleman’s Club located at 13577 US Highway 19 North, when he was issued a trespass warning by security at the establishment for being intoxicated.

At about 2 a.m. on January 14, 2017, deputies were called to the business because Stanovick was refusing to leave premises.   When deputies arrived, Stanovich smelled of alcohol, his eyes were blood shot, and he was unstable on his feet. Deputies were informed by security that Stanovick was impaired to the extent that security had to park his vehicle for him when arrived at the business.

Deputies arranged for Stanovick to take an Uber ride home. Stanovick left the premises in the Uber.

Shortly afterward, Deputy Jason Fineran was flagged down by the Uber driver who informed him that Stanovick insisted he bring him back to the Oz Gentleman’s Club.

Deputy Fineran located Stanovick’s 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe in the Oz Gentleman’s Club parking lot, and found Stanovick in the driver’s seat with the car running. Deputy Fineran approached Stanovick’s vehicle and knocked on the driver’s side window.

Stanovick looked at Deputy Fineran, placed his vehicle in reverse, and accelerated while turning the steering wheel. Stanovick struck Deputy Fineran with side of his Tahoe, pinning Deputy Fineran in between Stanovick’s Tahoe and another vehicle that was parked alongside the Tahoe.

Stankovic then fled the scene in his Tahoe, northbound on the US Highway 19 Frontage Road.  Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit and followed the Tahoe to Belleair Road where the vehicle made a U-turn, southbound on US Highway 19 North.

Deputies say that the Tahoe continued southbound on US Highway 19 North to Bryan Dairy Road, where the vehicle turned westbound and proceeded to Belcher Road, turning southbound. At one point during the pursuit, Stankovic drove into oncoming traffic and turned his headlights off in an attempt to elude deputies.

Deputies followed Stankovic’s Tahoe through unincorporated St. Petersburg to 40^th Avenue North. Stankovic turned eastbound on 40^th Avenue North, and lost control of the Tahoe crashing into two parked vehicles located at 6445 40^th Avenue North.

After the crash, Stankovic exited the disabled Tahoe and fled on foot. Deputies located Stankovic hiding near a residence located at 6428 41^st Avenue North. Stankovic was taken into custody.

Deputy Jason Fineran received minor injuries to his arm and hand as a result of being struck by Stankovic’s Tahoe.

Stankovic was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, one count of Driving Under the Influence, one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, one count of Resisting an Officer without Violence, one count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage.    

Stankovic was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

The investigation continues.