Two Arrested For Fleeing Police, Suspected For Home Burglaries

Two people arrested for leading Sarasota Police and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office on a chase through downtown are also facing questions about recent home burglaries in the Center Gate subdivision.

Andrew Whitt, 29, and Wenonah Sauls, 37, were reportedly driving a stolen 2004 silver Mitsubishi Lancer and deputies tried to pull the vehicle over when it was spotted today near Fruitville Road and U.S. 301, according to the sheriff's office.

Whitt and Sauls fled in the car, leading deputies and police officers on a chase until they abandoned the car near Selby Gardens, running on foot until they were caught about a block away, according to the sheriff's office.

The Lancer came into contact with a bystander’s vehicle and caused minor damage during the pursuit, according to the sheriff's office, and no one was injured.

Whitt and Sauls face charges from both law enforcement agencies, including Grand Theft Auto, Fleeing to Elude, Driving with a Suspended License and Leaving the Scene of an Accident. Whitt was also wanted for violating terms of a court intervention program and Sauls had a warrant for violating probation on a prostitution charge.

Detectives are interviewing the suspects in relation to the recent burglaries and additional charges are pending.

for false imprisonment and strangulation when he attacked Sauls at her home on Wilkinson Road barricaded himself in her attic until the SWAT team arrived and convinced Whitt to give himself up.