Teens' Escape Ended with Hospital Lockdown, Deputies Say

Two 15-year-old boys face a host of criminal charges after Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies say they stole a car and proceeded to lead them on a chase.

The incident occurred just before 7 p.m. Thursday when deputies spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen at the corner of U.S. 301 and Tallevast Road. Deputies tried to stop the car, but its driver kept going, an email to media from the agency stated.

The pursuit was stopped at U.S. 301 and University Parkway when the sheriff’s office helicopter was able to start tracking the vehicle from the air. The driver fled into Sarasota County and then doubled back into Manatee, the email said. The chase ultimately came to an end when deputies used stop sticks to halt the vehicle in its tracks. The driver was able to avoid stop sticks placed on 15th Street East and hit a patrol car before heading north, the email said.

The driver’s luck ended when he encountered stop sticks on 1st Street in front of Manatee Hospital. It was there deputies were able to finally stop the car and bring the driver into custody. The passenger, however, wasn’t ready to throw in the towel, deputies said.

The passenger ran away from deputies into the hospital parking lot. The hospital was placed on lockdown as deputies searched for the teen.

“The passenger was eventually located on the roof of the hospital above the Emergency Room hiding under an A/C Unit,” the sheriff’s office email stated. “The passenger refused deputies’ commands and was engaged by K-9 Rex. The subject attempted to choke K-9 Rex but was restrained by deputies and arrested without further incident.”

Charges against the teens, who are not being identified, include aggravated fleeing to elude, burglary, grand theft auto, leaving the scene of an accident, battery on a police K-9, driving without a valid license and obstruction.

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