PORT CHARLOTTE — Authorities charged a man with perjury Tuesday after they say he lied about his knowledge of an alleged purse theft that took place Nov. 14, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Ryan Lashon Epting, 31, of the 1500 block of Abel St., Port Charlotte, was charged with perjury and accessory to a crime after the fact in connection with the incident.

According to a report, Epting told authorities he was flagged down by a man needing a ride
Nov. 14, a man who turned out to be Tony Curtis Goforth, who is charged with stealing a woman’s purse from a vehicle. Epting told authorities that he didn’t know who the man was, only identifying him as Charles, and that he could not help detectives locate him.

Epting was tied to Goforth using surveillance video from another gas station where Goforth allegedly used a credit card from the stolen purse. Goforth later told detectives he and Epting have known each other for months, the report states.

Epting was arrested Tuesday and transported to the Charlotte County Jail, where he was released on $6,000 bond.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests:

• Benjamin Edward Threw, 25, 2500 block of Luther Road, Punta Gorda. Charge: battery. Bond: $1,500.

• Amber Nicole Williams, 25, 1100 block of Oceanic Drive, Punta Gorda. Charge: violation of probation (original charge: petty theft). Bond: none.

• Brian Gene Harper, 34, 21200 block of Hawthorne Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: battery. Bond: $2,500.

• Stefanie Vano, 38, 25500 block of Heritage Lakes Blvd., Port Charlotte. Charges: two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of narcotic equipment. Bond: $8,500.

• Rodney Alan Shields, 42, 400 block of Wyncoop Ave., Port Charlotte. Charges: possession of a controlled substance and possession of narcotic equipment. Bond: $3,500.

• Amber Lynn Bandy, 41, 400 block of Wyncoop Ave., Port Charlotte. Charges: attached license plate not assigned, failure to maintain vehicle insurance and violation of probation (original charges: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia). Bond: none.

• Ronnie Ray Jones, 35, 800 block of Roseway Terrace, Port Charlotte. Charges: failure to appear and battery. Bond: $7,500.

• Tonya Elizabeth Weider, 28, 21400 block of Dawson Ave., Port Charlotte. Charges: knowingly driving with a suspended license and violation of probation (original charge: petty theft). Bond: none.

• Jacob Corson Moore, 22, 28000 block of Riddle Ave., Port Charlotte. Charges: two counts of violation of probation (original charges: ingesting harmful chemicals and trespassing). Bond: none.

• Anthony James Bruno, 29, 21200 block of Glendale Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: battery. Bond: $1,000.

• Roger Joseph Guilmette, 46, 21400 block of Winlock Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: resisting arrest. Bond: $1,000.

• Darlene Sue Dukes, 38, Miami, Fla. Charge: dealing in stolen property. Bond: $5,000.

• David Deangelo Miller, 33, Fort Meade, Fla. Charge: driving with a suspended license for more than six months. Bond: $500.

• Kirk Alan Brotz, 46, 3100 block of Virginia Road, Venice, Fla. Charge: DUI. Bond: none.

The Punta Gorda Police Department reported the following arrest:

• Cleopatra Ann Hoskins, 60, address unknown. Charge: contempt of court. Bond: $1,500.

The North Port Police Department reported the following arrests:

• Shaun Patrick Stewart, 28, of New Port Richey, Fla. Charges: possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of marijuana. Bond: $1,120.

• Carolyn Ann Serino, 39, 600 block of Cypress Road, Venice. Charge: DUI with blood-alcohol content of .15 or higher or while having a passenger under 18. Bond: $1,500.

• Elizer Junior Saintvil, 27, 300 block of Redding St., Port Charlotte. Charge: possession of marijuana. Bond: $120.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests:

• Russell W. Foltz, 100 block of Myakka Drive, Venice. Charges: illegal use of credit cards and theft. Bond: $2,000.

• Julie Parish, 31, 3600 block of Inagua Ave., North Port. Charge: theft. Bond: $1,000.

• Joan Danielle Chase, 37, 400 block of Cerromar Lane, Venice. Charge: petty theft. Bond: $120.

• Audrey Jean Simms, 25, 2500 block of Border Road, Venice. Charge: violation of probation (original charge: battery). Bond: none.

• Ray Donovan Nevels, 55, 500 block of Shamrock Drive, Venice. Charge: aggravated battery on a woman known to be pregnant. Bond: none.

• Brian John Chuchro, 39, 100 block of E. Venice Blvd., Venice. Charges: criminal mischief with property damage and two counts of battery. Bond: $1,620.

— Compiled by Anne Klockenkemper and Drew Winchester