On Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at about 11:15 a.m., members of the Boca Raton Police Department’s Tactical Team were on routine patrol on Palmetto Park Road near the I-95 interchange when they noticed a car with very dark tinted windows. As an officer followed the vehicle, the driver began to drive erratically, making sudden movements and changes in direction. After observing numerous traffic infractions, officers stopped the car as it entered the parking lot of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, 800 Meadows Road.
Officers made contact with the driver, Deon Batts, and the front passenger, who initially said his name was Timothy Vanterpool, but was later identified as Larry Covington. A strong odor of marijuana was coming from the interior of the car during this initial interaction. Officers searched the car and recovered a small amount of marijuana from the floorboards. As officers searched Covington, a small baggie fell out of his pant leg. Inside the baggie was a little over two grams of marijuana. When officers searched the trunk of the car, they found a bag which contained various items.
When officers questioned Covington, he said he came to Boca Raton to go to the hospital, but Batts intended to commit burglaries. Officers charged both Batts and Covington with loitering and prowling and possession of marijuana. Covington was charged with providing a false name and they charged Batts with an outstanding violation of probation warrant out of Broward County, the original offense was burglary.
