Released on 04-13-21 at 1:46 p.m.
Here is a synopsis of the crime spree that led to the crash into a power pole at 5th Avenue North and 24th Street at 5:15 a.m. today.
Arrested: Amer Nuhanovic DOB 1-9-91, no known address--Booking photo is attached
At 2:43 a.m., someone reported to police that a person was asleep in a white suburban at the pump for over an hour at the Speedway 3225 34th Street North. Officers checked the tag and learned the vehicle had been stolen out of Pasco County. A stop stick was place in front of the vehicle and officers attempted to get the suspect out of the vehicle. He drove off on 34th street with a disabled tire and the vehicle was later located near 22nd Ave North and 28th Street with no one inside.
The shortly after, another call came in about a reckless driver in a Dodge Ram truck at 83rd Ave and MLK St. N . Later it was spotted near 62 Ave and 4th Street N. driving recklessly. Officers successfully deployed stop sticks, disabling some of the tires. The driver then was observed blocking a vehicle, getting out and attempting to carjack it at 5th Ave North and 16th Street North. He was unable to get the car doors open and the driver pulled away. He then tried to approach three other vehicles but was unsuccessful.
He then continued to drive the Dodge Ram with disabled tires the wrong way on 5th Avenue North and was observed intentionally crashing into the side of multiple vehicles. At this point, a pursuit was authorized to stop him from carjacking and harming innocent people.
Officers eventually blocked his path and he crashed the Dodge Ram into a power pole at 5th Avenue North and 24th St. N. He got out and ran. Police K9 caught him and he was taken into custody.
Investigators also linked him to a recent residential burglary on April 7th. Other charges could be forthcoming.
He is currently charged with:
He had several prior warrants for his arrest:
Amer Nuhanovic
St. Petersburg Police Media Relations - (727) 893-7550
YOLANDA FERNANDEZ - Public Information Officer