LEVY COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 2:24 a.m. Corporal Dean MacIntyre observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign at NE 94 Terrace and NE 66 Lane. Corporal MacIntyre turned in behind the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver had different plans and fled.

The vehicle pursuit exited this neighborhood and the driver fled toward Bronson, ultimately turning onto SR 24 toward Otter Creek. The pursuit continued to the intersection of U.S. HWY 19 where the driver, without any regard for the safety of any other, made no attempt to stop. The Florida Highway Patrol joined the pursuit and was able to perform a precision immobilization technique (PIT) west of Otter Creek disabling the vehicle and ending the chase. The occupants were ordered out of the car.

The driver was identified as Angela N. Birkholz (8/23/83) of Port Charlotte, Florida. She told deputies she fled from law enforcement because she knew her driver’s license was not valid. She was placed under arrest.

The front seat passenger gave deputies a false name. The investigation determined his true identity as Travis W. Merrell (8/13/92) of Arcadia, Florida. Merrell was wanted by Charlotte County for multiple violent felony offenses. He too was arrested.

A third person, a 15-year-old juvenile, was a rear seat passenger. The juvenile was taken into protective custody and later picked up by a family member.

Deputies found Merrell was in possession of methamphetamines he attempted to destroy after the car was stopped by the PIT maneuver. Merrell was charged with providing a false name to law enforcement as well as possession of methamphetamines, resisting arrest by obstruction and tampering with evidence. His bond is set at $150,000.

Angela Birkholz was charged with fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, driving while license suspended or revoked and child neglect. Her bond was set at $110,000.00.

Merrell was also booked for the outstanding Charlotte County warrants and are as follow:

  • Count 1: Aggravated Assault with a Firearm – Bond: $50,000
  • Count 2: Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle – Bond: $100,000
  • Count 3: Shooting At/Into and Occupied Vessel or Conveyance – Bond: $100,000
  • Count 4: Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon – Bond: $100,000

Sheriff McCallum said, “Thank you to the Florida Highway Patrol for their assistance in helping bring this dangerous criminal into custody. This type of cooperative work is the essence of law enforcement’s commitment to the safety of our community. This was great work by our deputies and this Trooper, who by the grace of God, were not injured performing this dangerous work.”