Daily News staff

Collier sheriff's deputies aiding with wildfire evacuations in Golden Gate Estates on Friday night arrested a man they say walked up to an unmarked patrol car and snorted cocaine.

Joshua Benz, 25, of the 900 block of 11th Street Southwest, was charged with possession of cocaine.

Benz was walking alone in the middle of 11th Street Southwest, wearing jeans and no shirt, when he motioned to a deputy to stop his unmarked patrol car. As the deputy explained the evacuation orders, Benz put a clear, plastic bag up to his nose and snorted for three to four seconds, reports said.

Benz then turned around and put his hands behind his back, reports said. The deputy arrested Benz. The substance inside the plastic bag was later determined to be cocaine, deputies said.

Reports said Benz pointed out to deputies a Ford Ranger pick-up with its front end submerged in the canal at the end of 11th Street. No passengers were inside, reports said.

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