OMG PD: Hate Crime, Falling Bullet, Big Cocaine Bust

Coast Guard Docks in St. Pete After Seizing $11 Million Worth of Cocaine

For the third time in four months, the U.S. Coast Guard docked in St. Petersburg after seizing millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine. 

The latest drug bust worth $11 million was announced Thursday after crews docked in St. Pete. Authorities say that totaled 17 bales of the powdery drug. 

St. Pete Yacht Club Guest Hit by Falling Bullet

Laurie Eberhardt, 67, was standing on the second-floor balcony of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club watching the fireworks from First Night St. Pete, when she felt something strike her wrist. 

She looked down and realized she was bleeding.

According to St. Petersburg Police, Eberhardt was struck by a falling bullet shot in celebration of the New Year. 

Eberhardt, according to police, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where a bullet was removed from her right wrist, near the base of her pinky finger.

Deputies Searching for ‘Hate Crime’ Suspect in Land O’ Lakes

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies found themselves on a manhunt this week for a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting at a Lutz Walmart.

The suspect, they said, shot another man in the face several times with a pellet gun because he was under the impression the victim was from the Middle East.

The accused shooter was eventally identified by his own mother.

Witness Helped Save Deputy Under Attack

A Pasco County deputy transporting a prisoner to the Land O' Lakes Jail early Friday morning found himself under attack.

According to the sheriff's office, the deputy was transporting Osvaldo Flores to jail after he'd been arrested in connection with a domestic violence injunction.

Flores, however, had other plans.

He “was able to get his handcuffs around to his front and started kicking out the window of the patrol car around Little Road and Decubellis” in the New Port Richey area, according to a sheriff's office media release. The deputy pulled over at the 6926 Little Road 7-Eleven around 12:20 a.m.

At that point, Flores got out of the car and attacked the deputy. A bystander stepped in and helped the deputy subdue Flores until backup arrived.

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