HERNANDO COUNTY, FL. – On Monday just before 6 p.m., while conducting patrols of the west side of the county, deputies Trevor Jones and Scott Bierwiler observed a stolen vehicle.
The deputies were traveling westbound on Cortez Boulevard; the stolen vehicle, a white 2015 Nissan Maxima, was also traveling westbound, directly in front of the deputies.
Deputies Jones and Bierwiler were able to see the driver and at least one front seat passenger Additional deputies were dispatched to the area before a traffic stop was initiated.
With three additional deputies in the area, a felony traffic stop was conducted in the area of Cortez Boulevard and Deltona Boulevard.
Methodically, the deputies ordered the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Andre Dillard, complied and was placed in custody.
The front seat passenger was then ordered to exit the vehicle. The passenger, later identified as Tianny Piggot, also complied and was placed in custody.
As deputies addressed the driver and front-seat passenger, they observed a back seat passenger on the driver’s side of the vehicle. This passenger was staring at the deputies. Like the others, the back seat passenger was ordered (again) to face away from the deputies.
The passenger refused to face away and stated, “This is just a traffic stop, I don’t have to listen to you.” At this time, deputies recognized the passenger as Kasaar Thompson. Thompson has numerous previous contacts with law enforcement and is known to be hostile and violent towards law enforcement.
Deputies ordered Thompson to exit the vehicle, to which he complied. Thompson refused to obey any other lawful orders, responding with, “No” and “I know my rights.” Thompson’s actions created a distraction from the vehicle and other possible occupants; therefore, K-9 Deputy Greg Locke quickly took Thompson into custody.
The final back seat passenger, later identified as Michael Oravetz, was ordered to exit the vehicle, to which he complied. A search of Oravetz’s person revealed two Nissan key fobs, both of which belonged to the stolen vehicle. Michael Oravetz was listed as the suspect in the stolen vehicle case from the Lakeland Police Department.
As deputies searched the vehicle, they detected the smell of fresh, unburnt marijuana. A black backpack was located on the front passenger-side floorboard. A search of the backpack revealed a large amount of U.S. currency (counted later – $2,682), and nine large bags of a green leafy substance, which later tested positive for the presence of THC (weighed later – 737.7 grams).
Also in the backpack, deputies located a digital scale and an AR-15 magazine. The magazine contained 13 rounds of PMC 223 ammunition.
Deputies interviewed the front seat passenger, Tianny Piggot, to learn she was the girlfriend of the Dillard. Piggot was not charged with any crimes, according to deputies.
During the interview with Dillard, he initially denied having knowledge of illegal substances in the vehicle. He later took responsibility for the black backpack and all of the items located inside it. Dillard told deputies the car belonged to his friend in the back seat and his friend allowed him to drive it. Dillard then decided he no longer wanted to speak with deputies.
When deputies attempted to interview Kasaar Thompson he began screaming obscenities and told them to “Get out of my face, before I go crazy.”
During his interview, Oravetz told deputies the car belonged to his father and he was usually permitted to use it for work, as long as he returned it. When told the car had been reported stolen on March 12, 2022, Oravetz stated, “I know” and said he planned on returning the vehicle later in the evening.
The recovered stolen vehicle was towed from the scene.
The three men were arrested then transported to the Hernando County Detention, each being charged as follows:
Michael Jon Oravetz DOB/03-13-1998
- Grand Theft Auto
- Bond – $2,000
Kasaar Amallie Thompson DOB/09-28-1995
- Resist/Obstruct without Violence
- Bond – $2,000
Andre Lorenzo Dillard DOB/07-07-2002
- Possession of Marijuana w/Intent to Sell
- Bond – $5,000.
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Tampa Area Local News, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GiveSendGo or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.