A man from Leesburg, already sought by authorities in Lake County, was apprehended with a substantial amount of marijuana weighing over 3.5 pounds and a firearm, after a pursuit by law enforcement officers.
During an evening patrol on Wednesday May 29th, a Leesburg Police Department officer noticed a 2015 grey Lexus 2D heading east on East Dixie Avenue. The car was driven by 38-year-old Robert Antonio Hughes, who was residing at a nearby address.
Hughes was wanted for multiple serious charges, including two instances of aggravated assault, illegal firearms discharge, and habitual traffic offenses.
The patrolling officer, after identifying Hughes, communicated this via his radio and proceeded to tail the vehicle, which later attempted to evade the police by entering the Ashley Woods Subdivision.
Upon being cornered by the officers, Hughes attempted to escape by driving around the patrol car but was ultimately stopped on a grassy roadside near Ashton Woods Lane. Officers then directed him to surrender, which he did.
Subsequent search of Hughes’ vehicle led to the discovery of numerous bags of marijuana totaling approximately 1,693 grams, 50 liquid THC vape cartridges, and 735 grams of a THC-containing waxy substance. Additionally, a small amount of fentanyl was also found.
Among other items, the search revealed a loaded Glock 43x 9mm handgun, several digital scales, and packaging materials typically used in drug trafficking.
After confirming Hughes’ status as a convicted felon and his suspended license, he was arrested on multiple charges including drug possession, trafficking, and illegal firearm possession.
Hughes was subsequently booked at the local police department and later transferred to the Lake County Jail with a bond set at $74,500.
