Bradenton Police Officer Pulled Along by Vehicle During Traffic Stop

On Tuesday at around 11:35 p.m., Officer Shane Sharp observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Avenue East, according to a subsequent news release.

Sharp pursued the vehicle for several blocks until it came to a stop. The driver, later identified as Lenny Macias-Rangel, was instructed 12 times by Officer Sharp to turn off the engine.

When Macias-Rangel refused compliance, Sharp opened the driver’s side door to shift the vehicle into park. In response, Macias-Rangel put the vehicle into drive, causing it to accelerate rapidly and pin Sharp’s torso against the dashboard. Body cam footage confirmed that the vehicle traveled approximately 150 feet before crashing into a pole.

Following the incident, police reported that Macias-Rangel resisted arrest and struck multiple officers. After being evaluated for injuries, he was cleared for transport to Manatee County Jail.

Officer Sharp was taken to the hospital via patrol vehicle, where he was treated for a concussion, separated shoulder, and minor leg injuries. He was discharged the following Wednesday morning and is currently recovering at home.

Authorities obtained probable cause to search the vehicle, leading Crime Reduction Team detectives to discover over a kilogram of marijuana and 62 THC vape cartridges.

Macias-Rangel, age 19, has been charged with:

• Two counts of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer
• Four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer
• Resisting an officer with violence
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer
• Possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance
• Driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified (second offense)

Bradenton Police reported that Macias-Rangel has a previous criminal history, including arrests for domestic battery, violation of a domestic violence injunction, fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, and other related offenses.

Key Information

• Incident Date: Tuesday, approximately 11:35 p.m.
• Officer Involved: Shane Sharp
• Driver: Lenny Macias-Rangel, 19 years old
• Charges: Six counts including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and drug-related offenses.
• Injuries: Officer Sharp sustained a concussion and shoulder separation.
• Evidence: Over a kilogram of marijuana and 62 THC vape cartridges found in the vehicle.
• Prior Criminal History: Involves domestic battery and fleeing from officers.