Teen Accused Using Stolen Golf Cart to Run Deputy Down

A teenage boy caught behind the wheel of a stolen golf cart in the Sun City Center area Monday stands accused of trying to run over a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy while his accomplice fled on a bicycle.

The incident unfolded around 1:37 p.m. when detectives were conducting surveillance in the area to help deter crime, an email from the sheriff’s office to media stated. It seems detectives noticed a golf cart being driven along Valley Forge Boulevard by the two teenage boys and thought something was amiss.

Deputies attempted to stop the cart, but its driver, a 14-year-old boy, accelerated and charged Deputy Merry, the sheriff’s office said. Merry was forced to grab on to the front of the cart as the teen proceeded to drive about 150 feet forward, the email said.

When the teen did stop, he got out of the cart and attempted to “hurdle” one of the detective’s parked vehicles to get away, the email said. The boy, however, didn’t quite make the jump, lost his footing and crashed to the ground.

He was taken into custody and transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of back pain. Once he had medical clearance, he was charged with grand theft auto, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and fleeing to elude.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-old who was a passenger in the stolen cart bailed out and took off on a bike just before deputies tried to stop the cart. Deputies, however, caught up to him a short time later. He was charged with grand theft auto.

Both boys, who are not being identified by Patch due to their ages, are from Ruskin.

That golf cart, deputies say, had just been stolen from Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center.

Deputy Merry suffered minor injuries in the scuffle, but was cleared by emergency personnel on the scene.

Image via Shutterstock

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