[PHOTO CREDIT: Leesburg Police Department]
[Original Publish Date: 12/07/19]
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LEESBURG, Florida — For the second time in two months, a man whom police are labeling an 11-time convicted felon has been arrested for possession of a firearm and theft of a vehicle, along with other charges in his latest case.
In the most recent case, a Leesburg Police officer saw a dark-colored SUV speeding southbound on 12th Street around 9:15 p.m. Thursday. The officer attempted to locate the vehicle and did not see it, but heard squealing tires, according to the arrest affidavit.
The officer located the black Mazda SUV in the driveway of 613 Ross Street, with its engine running, but no one inside. The home appeared vacant and had a lockbox on the door, the officer noted in the affidavit. The officer detained a man who came from the back of the home and ran the tag of the SUV. Dispatch reported the vehicle had been stolen from Ocala.
The officer spoke with the detained subject, who told him he was a passenger in the vehicle being driven by a man he only knew as “DJ,” later identified as Roger Dale Sands Jr., 39, of Leesburg. He told the officer he and Sands were leaving a home on Osceola Avenue and the man saw an unmarked patrol vehicle. He asked Sands, “Did you see that cop?” The man said after he said that, Sands began speeding to evade law enforcement, according to the affidavit.
The officer began searching the area and found a “belly band” gun holster on the north side of the back yard. Another officer was able to climb and get a visual of the roof and saw Sands lying on his stomach, near the chimney. Sands climbed off the roof and was intercepted by an officer.
Police searched the roof and found a blue and gray zippered pouch and a black handgun. Upon searching the pouch, police found 18 rounds of .38 special ammunition, three unused syringes, a digital scale and a bag containing 9 grams of methamphetamine.
Sand was charged with grand theft of a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Lake County Jail on $40,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
