Florida Teens Flee Traffic Stop, Multiple Guns Seized, Arrests Made

Sidney Nathaniel Dorsey’s mugshot (left) and Arturo Garcia’s mugshot (right). Photo by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

When getting pulled over during a traffic stop, one of the most suspicious things to do is flee the vehicle. However, this is precisely what a pair of teenagers did earlier this week. 

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says that during a traffic stop “at the intersection of Bryan Road and Williams Road” on November 26, the rear-passengers of a vehicle, 17-year-old Sidney Nathaniel Dorsey and 16-year-old Arturo Garcia, chose to flee. 

Deputies immediately detained the front passenger, 16-year-old Jaylen Le’Morin, and the driver, 18-year-old James Le’Morin, without incident and pursued Dorsey and Garcia, who had not yet been identified.

Once caught, “Dorsey was found carrying a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine holding 22 rounds”. Garcia was then “located with the assistance of HCSO's Aviation, K-9, and Patrol Units and taken into custody”.
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When police searched the vehicle, “a 5.56 rifle with a loaded extended magazine and no serial number”, “Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun”, and “loaded silver 9mm magazine” were also found. ​

Photo of all three of the seized firearms. Photo by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Dorsey was arrested on one count each of “Resisting an Officer with Violence”, “Carrying a Concealed Firearm”, and “Minor in Possession of a Firearm”.

Garcia was arrested on two counts of “Resisting an Officer Without Violence”, one count of “Trespassing on Property Other than a Structure or Conveyance”, two counts of “Minor in Possession of a Firearm (Second Offense)”, and one count of “Possession of a Firearm with a Removed Serial Number”.

The press release states that these teenagers may be subject to additional charges as the investigation continues.

Sheriff Chad Chronister commented on the incident saying, “This case highlights the dangers our deputies face daily as they work to keep illegal firearms off our streets and keep our community safe. Thanks to our deputies' swift action and teamwork, these dangerous individuals were arrested, and weapons that could have caused harm were removed.”

Article by Ema Tibbetts