Florida man tased, arrested on drug charges after taking off from traffic stop, crashing truck HCPD

Willie Pierce, a 43-year-old man from Haines City, was arrested after a dangerous encounter with law enforcement that began with a routine traffic stop. Running a stop sign led to a police pursuit, which ended when Pierce crashed his pickup truck into a fence and another vehicle. Attempting to flee on foot, he was apprehended after officers deployed a taser. A search of his vehicle uncovered a staggering 3. 99 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 grams of marijuana, and over $23,700 in cash, indicating substantial drug trafficking operations.

Pierce now faces a range of serious charges, including fleeing and eluding, drug trafficking, and violation of probation, reflecting a concerning criminal history involving similar offenses. Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood remarked on the incident's escalation from a simple traffic stop to a significant drug bust, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals like Pierce. After being evaluated at a hospital, he was booked into Polk County Jail without bond. The police department remains committed to ensuring community safety and accountability for criminal actions.