Escape attempt doesn't get St. Petersburg man very far

ST. PETERSBURG -- Blake Mitchell Townsend was already in a heap of trouble, police say. He was allegedly driving drunk early Sunday morning -- with a suspended license. Police say he was driving the wrong way down a one-way street -- and ran a red light.

He already had two prior DUI convictions, police say. Then officers say he tried to run away from them. They they said they had to Taser him. Then they took him to a hospital.

Believe it or not, St. Petersburg police say, that's when Townsend really got himself in trouble.

Townsend was pulled over around 4th Avenue N and 3rd Street. It was around 1:35 a.m.

He appeared "dazed" and "staggering," an officer wrote in the arrest report. Townsend refused to consent to a breathalyzer test.

Then Townsend took off running, police say. One officer pulled out his Taser and fired it at Townsend, immobilizing him. Townsend surrendered, police say, and was taken to Edward White Hospital to be checked out.

A doctor cleared Townsend and the officer was about to take him to jail. Then Townsend asked to use the restroom, according to police. The officer took off the handcuffs and told Townsend to leave the door open so he could see him.

But the officer was momentarily distracted when a nurse brought Townsend's medical report. The officer turned around to find the restroom door closed and locked from the inside.

When the officer got the door open, police say, Townsend was missing -- but two tiles had been removed from the drop ceiling.

Another officer removed ceiling tiles from an examination room next door, stood on the bed and took a look inside the ceiling. He saw Townsend hiding inside the ceiling, police say.

The officer aimed his Taser at Townsend and ordered him to climb down. Townsend complied, but only after several commands, police said. He was out of the officer's sights for three minutes, police say.

Townsend, of 3942 Bayshore Blvd. NE, was arrested on charges of DUI, misdemeanor resisting arrest without violence and felony escape. His bond was set at $10,650 -- $10,000 for the escape charge alone. He bailed of jail Monday.

-- Jamal Thalji, Times staff writer

Comments

[Low]

He is not to bright, if your going to go thru the ceiling and leave the tiles on the ground, you have to keep moving. you cant just hide cause they know your in the ceiling you dummy!!

[Paul]

Looks like Low has experience in such matters. LOL

This guy would be in a lot less trouble if he just stayed put
and not try to get away.

[JR]

Oh our laws rock. Third DUI. Why does this guy get a license after two? If USA would just impose harsher sentences a lot of people would think twice about commiting crimes. 2nd DUI?...okay then, you get you have to sell your car and show proof of it. You don't get your license back for 10 years and after 10 years, you have one of those gigs in your car that you have to breathe in to start your car, etc etc...we really could be doing a lot more.

[Mashiach Bjorklund]

JR, next time read the story. He is charged with driving with a suspended license among other things. In other words he didn't have a valid license because of his previous DUI convictions.

[Grannyinfla]

It cracks me up that people think these drunk punks will quit driving if the state takes their license. Now think about that. They had no problem with breaking the law with the first and/or second DUI's so why would they suddenly obey the law and not drive just because they dont have a valid license. Dont be naive.

[flanygal]

Another stupid drunk, hiding in the cieling, brilliant! I say hook those handcuffs to chains.

[Donald B.Everson]

drunk loser !!!!!!!!!! if ya read this. get a life punk

[Smplyred]

Thank you Granny! Tons of people end up in court or being arrested for DWLSR (driving while license suspended or revoked). People just try not to get caught again. It doesn't keep them from driving.

[Bobcat]

Well the typist of said story was either so drunk also or just so stupid
who ever typed it like the word they and he bailed of jail not out of jail nice spelling woner when they going to geta typist that can spell

[Bobcat]

"wonder" Lmao just tring to show mis spelling words leaves alot of the story untold idiots

[Justathought]

WOW, does he even know he needs to get some serious help? Wonder who's footing the bill for this stupidity?

[ToddRules]

The war's over Townsend. Just surrender...You don't need to out there, you don't need to live like this anymore. Your dad Pete of The Who oughta smash 1 of his vintage guitars over your thick head to try to knock some sense into you. But that probably won't work. Your bond woulda been only $650 if you hadn't have tried to boogie. and for a 3rd DUI even, how sad..