Police Report: (I have condensed the original police report to fit within the 5000-character limit allowed for descriptions. The summary captures the key details of the incident while omitting less critical information to meet the character constraint).
On 01/11/2024, at approximately 2:16 PM, I, Trooper Zigler ID# 604, a member of the Florida Highway Patrol's Troop D Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU), along with my CIU team members Trooper C. Wademan ID# 1116, K-9 handler, and CIU Sergeant J. Diaz ID# 226, were actively patrolling in the area of Old Canoe Creek Road and Kissimmee Park Road within Osceola County.
Troop D consists of the following counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia.
I, Trooper Zigler, have been assigned to the CIU as a "Felony Officer" for five years. The mission of CIU is to increase the effectiveness of the Florida Highway Patrol in the detection of crime and the apprehension of criminal offenders on the highways of Florida. I have received additional training on criminal behaviors and detection of possible criminal activity.
I, Trooper Zigler ID# 604, observed Sergeant J. Diaz attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a white Mercedes Benz SUV with a Florida temporary tag DVS2817, which did not match any vehicle. All police vehicles were fully marked with overhead light bars and FHP insignia. The vehicles had their overhead blue lights on, clearly identifying them as law enforcement officers.
The vehicle fled the traffic stop recklessly, leading Sergeant Diaz, Trooper Wademan, and me to pursue. During the pursuit, the suspect drove at speeds over 100 miles per hour, sideswiped another vehicle, drove on the shoulder, and ran multiple red lights, endangering the lives and property of the motoring public.
I, Trooper Zigler, took over as the primary pursuing unit. I observed the vehicle traveling at over 100 miles per hour in a 45-mile zone and called out on the radio. The vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, crashed into two vehicles, and traveled off the roadway.
I called out the crash and drew my state-issued service weapon on the crashed vehicle. The windows were too dark to see inside. I gave verbal commands, and the driver, identified as Jonathan Nicola, complied. In the driver's door pocket, I observed a digital scale and numerous small baggies, consistent with drug sales. Nicola was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Nicola was secured in handcuffs and stated there was a gun in the vehicle. He was detained in the back of my patrol car until emergency medical personnel could treat him for possible injuries.
Trooper Wademan arrived and had his K-9 inspect Nicola's vehicle, which gave a positive alert for narcotics. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and the following items were located:
- A digital scale and numerous clear plastic bags in the driver’s door
- A 9mm gun in plain view on the rear passenger seat
- A box containing approximately 10,000 to 20,000 pills, presumptive tested positive for Fentanyl, packaged to mask the odor of narcotics
The vehicle was confirmed stolen from Lee County on July 2, 2021. The temp tags were fake.
The defendant, Nicola, had a Florida ID card and several credit cards belonging to other individuals, indicating possible additional criminal activity. Nicola was a habitual traffic offender.
Nicola was arrested and transported to the Orange County Jail without further incident. All events occurred in Orange County and were recorded on in-car video camera.
CHARGES: (NO BOND)
1.) DRUGS-TRAFFIC - DANGEROUS FENTANYL/FENTANYL ANALOGUES
- Statute: 893.135(1)(C)(4)(A)
- First Degree - Felony
2.) SYNTH NARCOTIC-MFG - SCHEDULE I OR II
- Statute: 893.13(1)(A)(1)
- Second Degree - Felony
3.) DRUGS-POSSESS - CNTRL SUB WO PRESCRIPTION
- Statute: 893.13(6)(A)
- Third Degree - Felony
4.) DRUG EQUIP-POSSESS - USE POSS MFGR PARAPHERNALIA TO TRANSPORT DRUGS
- Statute: 893.147(4)
- Third Degree - Felony
5.) VEH THEFT - GRAND THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE
- Statute: 812.014(2)(C)(6)
- Third Degree - Felony
6.) PROPERTY CRIMES - POSSESS VEHICLE WITH ALTERED NUMBERS**
- Statute: 319.33(1)(D)
- Third Degree - Felony
7.) WEAPON OFFENSE - USE DISPLAY ETC FIREARM DURING FELONY**
- Statute: 790.07(2)
- Second Degree - Felony
8.) 4 COUNTS - MOVING TRAFFIC VIOL - DWLSR REVOCATION EQUIV STATUS 3RD SUB
- Statute: 322.34(2)(C)
- Third Degree - Felony
9.) 4 COUNTS - CR-FLEE/ELUDE POLICE - AGGRAVATED FLEEING WITH INJURY OR DAMAGE
- Statute: 316.1935(4)(A)
- Second Degree - Felony
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