Drug dealer robbed and shot at undercover cops: Manatee sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Two drug dealers were arrested on multiple charges after robbing an undercover officer and shooting at another officer on September 25, according to a news release from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The undercover officer had just completed a drug purchase with the two men in their SUV when they pointed their guns at him and demanded he hand over his wallet.

Without blowing his cover, the detective gave them the remaining cash he had for drugs and tried to get out of the car, but the drug dealers locked the rear doors and prevented him from getting out, the sheriff's office said. After a few moments, they unlocked the doors and the undercover officer escaped safely.

The men, Jacob Harris, 24, and Jeremiah Burks, 23, were driving a silver 2016 Nissan Rogue north on 1st Street East and then east on 30th Avenue East.

Other undercover officers flooded the area and located the suspects after they crashed their car in a ditch at 19th Street East and 36th Avenue East.

Both suspects ran into the yard of a home in the 3600 block of 19th Street E when Burks turned and fired several shots at another undercover officer as she drove her unmarked vehicle into a driveway. No one was hit by the shots.

Seconds later, Harris and Burks were chased by other officers and arrested. They were both in possession of loaded handguns and an illegal amount of marijuana.

Harris was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, possession of a firearm to commit a felony, sale of controlled substances, conspiracy to sell controlled substances and possession of a conveyance for the sale of controlled substances, possession of Marijuana and escape.

Burks was charged with attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, possession of a firearm to commit a felony, conspiracy to sell controlled substances and resisting arrest.