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Release Number: 09-101

For Immediate Release

Public Information Office

April 7, 2009

Debbie Carter: dcarter@hcso.tampa.fl.us

(813) 247-8060

 

 

Who:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victim:

Patricia Nelson, 58

Deputy assigned to District Two

16 year veteran

 

Suspect:  Robert Lee Jones,  DOB 8-16-85

1709  3rd Avenue S.E.

Ruskin

 

Charges:  Robbery by sudden snatching

                  Possession of Marijuana

                  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

                  Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer

                  Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer

                 

What:

Assault on a law enforcement officer
When:

April 6, 2009 at 5:10 p.m.
Where:

1001 Oakfield Drive (Oakfield Lanes Bowling )
Why/How:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deputy Patricia Nelson was off duty at the time of the incident.  She was inside the Bowling Alley with her family when the suspect grabbed her purse from the counter and fled.  Nelson chased the suspect (Robert Jones) to the parking lot where a struggle ensued.    Nelson retrieved her purse.  During the incident, Nelson identified herself as a Deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.  The suspect punched Deputy Nelson in the face with a closed fist.  He then armed himself with a knife and Deputy Nelson disarmed him without sustaining any life threatening injuries.   Deputy Nelson along with a family member was able to restrain the suspect until deputies arrived.  The suspect was transported to the hospital to be medically cleared due to scratches to his knees and elbows received during the struggle. 

 

The suspect’s vehicle was searched and deputies discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside.