On New Year’s Day, a man from Citrus County was apprehended in Hernando County for throwing lit fireworks at a patrol car occupied by a trooper, an incident confirmed by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
The individual, identified as Jimenez Ramses, was charged with aggravated assault on an officer and deploying a destructive device. According to FHP, the trooper involved, B. Melanson, was on duty with trainee Trooper E. Kjekstad at the time of the incident.
Melanson reported witnessing a white 2018 Dodge SUV making a turn towards his patrol car on North Carl G Rose Highway. He described hearing loud pops and observing smoke and debris near the vehicle, initially mistaking the sounds for gunfire. Upon further investigation, Melanson determined there was no immediate threat to the area after stopping a vehicle with Florida tags QKMF04.
During the traffic stop, Ramses confessed to hurling the fireworks and expressed remorse. He was then taken into custody and is currently detained at the Citrus County detention facility. The search of the SUV revealed a bag containing several “Black Cat” explosives, some of which had been used.
Ramses claimed the fireworks were ignited in a nearby neighborhood prior to encountering the trooper. Despite warnings from both the driver and the front passenger, Ramses went ahead and threw the fireworks, an action he said he did not contemplate deeply at the time. The other occupants of the vehicle have not been publicly identified by the authorities.
The arrest of Jimenez Ramses on New Year’s Day underscores the serious legal consequences of using explosive devices recklessly, especially against law enforcement officers. The Florida Highway Patrol remains committed to maintaining public safety and responding swiftly to such incidents.
Source: Fox13news
