LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Newly released video from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office captures a tense confrontation last month involving the vice president of a homeowners association in Lake County.
Gerald Tucker is accused of turning his truck into a deadly weapon after deputies said he rammed a sales van with five people inside in a Leesburg neighborhood.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place June 29 at the Plantation at Leesburg.
Investigators said the encounter began when a member of a door-to-door sales team knocked on Tucker’s door.
An arrest report states the company was already performing window installation work nearby and had offered Tucker a free estimate. Deputies said Tucker “was not happy about them being there and told them to leave.”
The situation intensified when a manager came to pick up the canvasser, investigators said. Deputies reported that the manager saw Tucker pursuing the crew down the street in his truck.
Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office shows Tucker talking with deputies after the confrontation.
“I was parked right here, diagonally in the road,” Tucker said in the video.
When asked why by the deputy, he responded, “To stop them from going.”
Deputies said Tucker followed the sales crew through the neighborhood and repeatedly tried to block their vehicle. The sheriff’s office also released cellphone video it said was recorded by one of the passengers inside the van.
Investigators said the chase ended when Tucker drove his truck into the van while five people were inside.
In body camera video, a deputy asks Tucker why he was following the group.
“You’re not supposed to solicit in here,” Tucker responded.
Tucker was arrested and charged with five counts of battery with a deadly weapon. He was released the next day on a $10,000 bond.
Tucker and the HOA were contacted for comment, including questions about whether he is still serving on the board, whether he will face any disciplinary action and what the HOA wants residents to know. No response had been received as of this report.
