Teen Repeatedly Rammed Deputy’s Cruiser With Stolen Vehicle: Sheriff

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 16-year-old Clearwater boy faces a long list of criminal charges after Pinellas County deputies say he was caught behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle, fled from authorities and then rammed one of the agency’s cruisers multiple times.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies spotted a 2016 Honda Accord reported stolen out of Pasco County around 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26 in St. Petersburg. The vehicle was driving westbound on 38th Avenue North near 68th Street North at the time, an email from the sheriff’s office said.

“Deputies did not pursue the Honda, but maintained visual contact with the vehicle,” the email said. “As deputies were monitoring the Honda, the vehicle began driving erratically and turned northbound onto 72nd Street North, into a residential neighborhood where deputies lost visual contact with the vehicle.”

The Honda, however, was spotted again a short time later on 78th Lane North. The vehicle, deputies said, was proceeding at a high rate of speed, weaving back and forth.

As the Honda neared 46th Avenue North, deputies used a PIT maneuver to disable it. The car’s driver, however, “repeatedly rammed the front end of the deputy’s cruiser.” The teen is accused of pushing the cruiser toward the deputy, who was standing outside of it with his gun drawn.

While the Honda had damage, deputies say the teen took off. He lost control of the car in the 3900 block of 66th Street North and crashed into two unoccupied vehicles that were parked there.

The teen then bailed out of the car, but was captured after a brief pursuit. He was taken to St. Petersburg General for minor injuries. No deputies were injured, the sheriff’s office said.

The teen, who Patch is not identifying due to his age, was charged with grand theft auto, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer with violence, resisting an officer without violence, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and possession of marijuana. He was also charged with driving without a license.

No further information is being released at this time.

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