In the early morning hours of February 15th, a West Melbourne Officer observed a reckless driver travel south on Hollywood Blvd from US192. The vehicle drove over a raised median and began to fishtail on the roadway. The vehicle then traveled at a high-rate of speed south on Hollywood until it came to the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Fell Rd. Once there, it drove in a circle, doing donuts in the intersection. A traffic stop was initiated on the white pickup truck and the driver, later identified as Jarret Gordon Hefler (07/11/1997) of Palm Bay appeared to pull into a driveway of a residence to comply with the stop.
Instead, Hefler placed his vehicle in reverse, striking the patrol vehicle and fled south on Hollywood Blvd. Given the reckless behavior of the driver and creating an ongoing threat to the public, the officer pursued the vehicle south on Hollywood Blvd. Hefler, in an attempt to further elude the officer, turned off his vehicle headlights as it traveled down Hollywood Blvd. Hefler lost control of his vehicle and was involved in a crash which disabled his vehicle. No injuries were reported at the scene of the crash. Hefler was taken into custody and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing w/ property damage, reckless driving, reckless driving with property damage and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. Hefler was taken to the Brevard County Jail where he was held with no bond.
Hefler has been arrested several times in Brevard County on charges of possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, in addition to failing to register a motor vehicle.
Lieutenant Graig Erenstoft
Office 321-723-9673
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