REDINGTON SHORES, Fla. — A St. Pete Beach district fire chief was arrested for aggravated assault while off-duty in Redington Shores Thursday evening.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Thomas McClave, 55, was driving a 2017 Chevrolet pickup truck south on Gulf Boulevard behind Gregory Hicks, 58, who was riding a bicycle in the shared bicycle/vehicle travel lane.
Deputies said McClave then pulled up to Hicks and yelled at him to get off the road. After they briefly yelled back and forth, Hicks rode his bike onto the raised median, where McClave followed him in his pickup.
McClave purposefully drove his truck onto the raised median and almost hit Hicks, who had to swerve out of the way, according to PCSO.
Deputies said McClave then got out of his truck and approached Hicks before shoving him in the chest twice. He then knocked a cell phone out of Hick's hands as he was trying to record the incident.
McClave was arrested around 5:10 p.m. by deputies and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and one count of simple battery. He was taken to Pinellas County Jail.
Deputies said McClave has been employed with the St. Pete Beach Fire Department as a district fire chief since November 2023.
The fire department, in conjunction with the City of St. Pete Beach, released the following statement after the incident.
The City of St. Pete Beach has been notified of the arrest of District Fire Chief Thomas McClave on the evening of May 23rd, 2024.
Chief McClave has been employed by the City since November 15th, 2023. Pursuant with the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations, Chief McClave has been suspended without pay pending an investigation and final determination of possible disciplinary action. All inquiries regarding the charges Chief McClave is facing should be directed to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
It should be noted that the accused actions of Chief McClave do not represent the men and women of the St. Pete Beach Fire Department who provide exceptional fire and EMS services to the residents and visitors of Pinellas County.
The city will have no further comment at this time.
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