Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-North County Burglary and Pawn Unit

Nathan Joseph Thomas (Arrested)
DOB: 01/30/1990
Address: 1511 Florida Avenue in Palm Harbor
Charges: One count of Shooting A Deadly Missile Into An Occupied Vehicle, One count Aggravated Assault, One count of Reckless Driving.

What:
Detectives have arrested a Palm Harbor man for shooting a BB gun at an occupied vehicle and at a resident in Palm Harbor.

Where:
The incidents occurred in the Palm Harbor area of Pinellas County.

When:
The incidents occurred on November 11, 2019 and on November 25, 2019.

Why/How:
Detectives have arrested a Palm Harbor man for shooting a BB gun at an occupied vehicle and at a resident in Palm Harbor.

Detectives say their investigation began on November 11, 2019, when 19-year-old Aaron McCullough reported his vehicle was struck by a BB while driving southbound on U.S. 19. McCullough was able obtain a description of the vehicle driven by the suspect he thought shot the BB gun. McCullough called Pinellas deputies, but lost sight of the vehicle prior to deputies arriving.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives identified 29-year-old Nathan Thomas as the driver of the vehicle.

Detectives interviewed Thomas, who admitted being the driver of the vehicle identified by McCullough, but denied he shot a BB gun at a vehicle that day.

Detectives also questioned Thomas about an incident that occurred on November 25, 2019, where 21-year-old Benjamin Stewart was shot at by a BB gun on Florida Avenue in Palm Harbor. Thomas did admit to shooting a BB gun from a vehicle during that incident.

During the investigation, Thomas was also observed driving recklessly by speeding, failing to stop for stop signs, and squealing his tires.

Thomas was charged with one count of Shooting A Deadly Missile Into An Occupied Vehicle, one count Aggravated Assault and one count of Reckless Driving.

Thomas was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident and provided a bond of $15,250 for all the charges. 

The investigation continues.