A quiet overnight patrol in Apopka turned into a quick chase and a felony arrest when officers spotted a man behind a closed auto repair shop and said he took off running, dropping a handgun along the way.
It happened shortly after 1:30 a.m., when officers on proactive patrol saw a man dressed in dark clothing near the shuttered business, police said. As they moved in to see why he was near the shop after hours, he bolted. The foot chase was brief, the discarded firearm was recovered, and the convicted felon was taken into custody without further incident, according to authorities.
How officers say it unfolded
Police say an officer on routine overnight patrol first spotted the man walking along the side of the closed auto repair shop and heading toward the rear area, where customer vehicles, tools, and other equipment are kept after hours. When the officer approached to question him about what he was doing on the property, the man ran.
The pursuit that followed was short. During the chase, the suspect dropped a handgun, which officers later recovered. He was arrested at the scene, and the gun was seized as evidence, according to a report from West Orlando News.
What the law says about felons and firearms
Florida law is blunt on this point: people convicted of a felony are not allowed to own, possess, or have control of a firearm. State law makes it illegal for a felon to have a gun in almost any form, and violations are classified as a second-degree felony.
Section 790.23 of the Florida Statutes lays out the prohibition, the penalties, and narrow exceptions for individuals whose civil rights and firearm authority have been formally restored. The full statute language and qualifications are available in Florida Statutes section 790.23.
Local context: recent gun incidents
The arrest comes as Apopka has seen a string of recent gun-related incidents, from residential neighborhoods to busy gas stations.
On February 16, gunfire tore through an Apopka neighborhood, leaving homes and vehicles riddled with bullet holes and one mother of three stunned to find her property struck, as reported by ClickOrlando. The next day, February 17, a person was injured in a gas-station shooting that led detectives to a suspect after they reviewed surveillance video and interviewed witnesses, according to WFTV.
Those incidents have unfolded as police increase patrols in both commercial zones and residential corridors, aiming to keep closer tabs on late-night activity.
Police response and how to report
Apopka police say proactive overnight patrols are one of the tools they use to deter property crime after dark and to protect neighborhoods and local businesses when most people are asleep. Officers routinely check closed storefronts, parking lots and fenced areas for any signs of trouble.
Residents with tips or information about suspicious activity or recent incidents can contact the Apopka Police Department non-emergency line at 407-703-1757 or use the department’s online contact options for reporting and public-records requests, as outlined by the Apopka Police Department.
