Gulfport man accused of fleeing police, ramming cruiser with stolen Lexus

A Gulfport man, with a felony warrant out of Missouri, was arrested Sunday after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle and striking a patrol car, according to Gulfport police.

Rodney Robinson, 58, was arrested and charged with one count of felony fleeing and one count of burglary of a vehicle.

According to the Gulfport Police Department, at about 6:17 p.m. Sunday, officers observed a vehicle connected to a recent vehicle burglary in the area of 34th Street, near 13th Avenue. Officers initiated a traffic stop, at which point Robinson accelerated and fled the scene.

GPD says Robinson traveled at a high rate of speed, disregarded multiple traffic control devices, and operated the vehicle in a reckless manner. Robinson is accused of approaching the area of 34th Street near Jody Nelson Drive, where an officer was positioned off the roadway preparing to deploy spike strips. Robinson braked and steered the Lexus directly toward the officer before striking a curb. Robinson then placed the vehicle in reverse and accelerated, striking the front end of a patrol vehicle, according to Gulfport police.

Robinson and the passenger were subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Gulfport Police Department. Both individuals were found to have active felony warrants out of Missouri.

Robinson was processed and taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, where he is currently being held on a $175,000 bond. The passenger was held without bond pending extradition.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 9:26 AM.