Coral Springs police move to seize $3,500 after teen flees traffic stop while carrying marijuana and cash
Coral Springs, Florida – A 17-year-old Pompano Beach resident now faces multiple serious charges after a routine traffic stop escalated into a dramatic sequence of events in Coral Springs, Florida. On May 16, a Coral Springs police officer pulled over a teenager for driving without functioning tag lights on the 900 block of West Sample Road. Little did the officer know, the stop would lead to a series of actions that have now prompted the police to ask a judge to seize more than $3,500 in cash linked to marijuana-related activities.
The incident began at approximately 11:15 p.m. when the officer approached the vehicle, and upon interaction, immediately noticed the unmistakable smell of marijuana. The officer also observed a backpack on the backseat floor, raising further suspicion. However, what happened next took the situation to an entirely new level. As the officer instructed the teenager to put the car in park, the teen instead sped off in a hurry.
This immediate flight led the officer to issue a “be on the lookout” notice for the vehicle. Just moments later, the car was found abandoned in front of a house located on the 3200 block of NW 90th Avenue. When police contacted the homeowner, they learned that the homeowner did not recognize the car and was concerned someone might have broken into his property. This prompted a thorough sweep of the residence, which led to the discovery of an open rear sliding-glass door.
Behind the air-conditioning unit, the teen was found hiding, but it remained unclear whether he had entered the house. Along with the keys to the vehicle, officers discovered a large sum of cash—$3,500 in total—yet the backpack, which had originally been visible in the vehicle, was nowhere to be found.
A search of the area quickly located the missing backpack on the 3300 block of 89th Avenue, just a block away from the original traffic stop. Inside the bag were three mason jars, each containing more than 90 grams of marijuana, as well as a digital scale—indicating the drugs were likely intended for distribution.
The teen, whose identity has not been publicly released, was charged with several offenses, including fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, residential burglary, tampering with physical evidence, and felony possession of marijuana. A police dog, trained to detect drugs, was brought to the scene and sniffed the recovered cash. The dog signaled that the money had likely been in the presence of narcotics, further strengthening the case against the teenager.
According to the court filing, the 17-year-old had stopped attending Monarch High School in the 10th grade and did not have any work history. No reasonable explanation was provided for why he was carrying such a large amount of cash, especially considering the discovery of marijuana in his possession. Additionally, the filing revealed that the teen had a prior arrest for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
After being arrested, the teen was transported to the Broward Juvenile Detention Center. His case continues to develop, with police now seeking a judge’s order to seize the $3,500 found in his possession. Authorities are hopeful that the court will act swiftly to confirm the link between the money and the illegal activities surrounding the teen.
The arrest and subsequent charges shine a spotlight on the dangers of drug trafficking in the community and the lengths some individuals will go to avoid capture. The Coral Springs Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding similar cases to come forward as investigations continue.
As for the teenager, his future is uncertain as he faces multiple charges that could lead to serious legal consequences. The decision on whether the cash will be seized rests with the court, but for now, the case remains a reminder of the potential dangers associated with drug-related crimes and the importance of law enforcement’s swift response.
