PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Pinellas Park Police are searching for a motorcyclist who they said dragged an officer attempting to pull him over on Tuesday.

The officer was monitoring traffic on 118th Avenue as part of the department’s traffic enforcement education detail, warning drivers not to use their cell phones in school and construction zones.

Around 11 a.m. the officer spotted the motorcyclist heading west on 118th Avenue from 49th Street N. at a high rate of speed and followed.

At the intersection of 118th Avenue and U.S. 19, the officer got out of his vehicle and tried to initiate a traffic stop. The motorcyclist initially complied with the officer, according to police, turning off his bike and moving to the side of the roadway.

But then, while moving the bike, the rider turned it back on and accelerated towards the officer. almost striking him. The officer then reacted by grabbing the rider and trying to take him off the motorcycle.

The officer was unsuccessful, and was instead dragged across several lanes of 118th Avenue as the motorcyclist accelerated rapidly until he was eventually thrown off. The rider was last seen heading south on 19 N. Frontage Road from 118th Avenue. 

The officer’s dashcam video captures the moment when that officer spotted a motorcyclist speeding through the construction zone and the officer's initial pursuit, but does not show the motorcyclist making contact with the officer or what happened next.

 

 

Pinellas Park Police describe the motorcyclist as a white man wearing a blue jacket, black helmet and khaki pants. They described the motorcycle as a black sport bike with a stretched swing arm.

We’re told that officer had non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to be OK.

If you have any information, contact Pinellas Park Police 727-369-7804. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County at 800-873-TIPS (8477) and may be eligible for a cash reward.