The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office’s recent arrest of a wanted individual resulted in the recovery of drugs, cash, and guns.
On the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 21, after receiving information in regards to the possible location of a violent wanted criminal, identified as Luis Alexander, 40, members of the Special Investigations Squad arrived at the Roadway Inn located in Bushnell, according to a press release from the department.
Alexander had felony warrants out of Pasco County for parole violation—the original charge included a felon possession of a concealed firearm, trafficking methamphetamine, aggravated assault on law enforcement, and fleeing to elude. In addition, he remains a suspect in multiple investigations in other jurisdictions, involving trafficking illicit narcotics and weapon related offenses.
The information provided to officers advised that Alexander was operating a blue Chevy Avalanche pickup truck. Prior to receiving information about the truck, Alexander had already fled from law enforcement in the Chevy Avalanche.
While conducting surveillance at the motel, detectives noticed Alexander leaving a motel room, and entering the truck, before parking the vehicle near the lobby and going inside. Detectives converged toward Alexander as he returned to his vehicle, and attempted to arrest him; however, Alexander attempted to flee on foot. A loaded handgun was noticed in Alexander’s waistband as he attempted to flee, according to the department.
As a result of Alexander’s refusal to obey all commands from detectives, a taser was used to apprehend him. He was immediately detained.
During a search, large amounts of cash as well as drug paraphernalia were discovered in his possession. A woman, later identified as Lottie Rathburn, 39, who was in company with Alexander was also arrested on drug related charges.
The following day, Tuesday, Jan. 22, detectives returned with a narcotic related search warrant for Alexander’s motel room. The search yielded trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, additional paraphernalia, as well as a loaded AR-15 style rifle, according to the department.
Alexander was arrested and charged with armed trafficking methamphetamine, armed trafficking fentanyl, 2 counts of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine, and possession of marijuana with the intention to sell, keeping/owning/leasing/renting a structure used for trafficking drugs, and possession of paraphernalia. Alexander was given no bond set by the court.
Rathburn was arrested and charged with possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and possession of paraphernalia. Her bond is set at $4,500.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that these arrests are only a small part of their on-going effort to combat drug activity within the county. The department is seeking help from the community. If you have valuable information that you would like to share, detectives ask that “if you see something, say something.” You can also report criminal activity anonymously through Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
