On May 25, 2022, Cape Coral Police officers initiated a call for service in reference to a male passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle at 1622 NE Pine Island Road (WAWA).
An officer made contact with a male later identified as Matthew Dominic Demauro (W/M 03-09-1982, 1029 NE 4th Street). The front cabin of the vehicle had numerous open beer cans and a strong smell of alcoholic beverages poured from the vehicle’s window.
Based on Mr. Demauro’s visible signs of possible impairment he was asked to exit the vehicle so officers could perform Standardized Field Sobriety Test/Evaluations (SFSTs). Mr. Demauro refused to exit the vehicle and disregarded the officers’ lawful orders.
The front driver’s door was opened, and Mr. Demauro quickly swung both of his legs out of the vehicle, stood up, and then forcefully pushed the officer back. Mr. Demauro began actively resisting the officers’ efforts to detain him and took flight on foot through the parking lot. He eventually fell due to his elevated state of intoxication. After a brief struggle as the officer attempted to detain him in handcuffs, he took flight again through the parking lot where he was then safely taken into custody by the officer who utilized his department-issued taser.
Mr. Demauro refused to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Test/Evaluations (SFSTs) and refused to provide a sample of his breath. Mr. Demauro’s vehicle was searched and inventoried after arrest and officers located a fixed blade knife with a taped handle within reach of the driver’s side door. Several pills were also located that were identified as a controlled substance.
Mr. Demauro was subsequently transported to Lee County Jail.
Mr. Demaruo was charged with the following:
- Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer F.S.S. 784.07(2)(b).
- Possession of a Controlled Substance F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a).
- Resisting with Violence F.S.S. 843.01.
- Driving While License Suspended F.S.S. 322.34(2).
- D.U.I. F.S.S. 316.193 (2)(a).
- D.U.I. Refusal with Prior Refusal F.S.S. 316.1939(1)(a).
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon F.S.S. 790.01(1).
