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Largo man faces charges after pursuit
Article published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |
LARGO – A Largo man was arrested after twice fleeing from deputies and then ramming several patrol cars during a pursuit.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at 7:30 p.m. on April 14, when Samuel George, 36, fled from a deputy who had stopped him for speeding and running a red light near the intersection of Main Street at McMullen-Booth Road in Safety Harbor.
After pulling over to the side of the road, the suspect sped away in a white 2001 Mitsubishi Galant as the deputy approached the vehicle on foot. The deputy pursued the suspect who had accelerated to a speed of more than 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. The deputy chose to disengage and last saw the vehicle near the intersection of McMullen-Booth Road and State Road 590.
After using the vehicle tag to obtain the registered owner’s home address, deputies responded to 907 Leona Drive in Largo where they spoke with Jonathan Miller, 47, the registered owner of the car. He told deputies that his roommate, Samuel George, had apparently taken the car without permission. While deputies were speaking with Miller, they observed the Mitsubishi approaching on Leona Drive. The vehicle had sustained front end damage and the suspect nearly hit a marked patrol car as he drove past the home on Leona Drive.
Once again, George fled in the Mitsubishi. During a pursuit that followed, the suspect came to a stop near the intersection of Trotter Road and Dryer Avenue. A deputy pulled alongside the vehicle, and the suspect then rammed the patrol car before again speeding away.
As the suspect approached the intersection of Indian Rocks Road and Bluffs Drive deputies used the precision immobilization technique in an attempt to end the pursuit. After the suspect vehicle spun to a stop, a deputy approached the car on foot to arrest the suspect. The suspect drove toward the deputy who sustained minor injuries as he dove onto the hood of his patrol car to avoid being struck.
The Mitsubishi struck the front end of the patrol car before hitting a second patrol car nearby. The second impact injured a deputy who was getting out of the car as it was hit. The suspect then backed into the driver side of a third cruiser that had been stopped behind him.
Deputies were able to open the driver door of the Mitsubishi and subdue the suspect without further incident. Deputies say that when George was arrested, he appeared to be impaired.
Charges include three counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and attempted murder.
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Article published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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