Man Crashes Car Into Patrol Car During Police Chase: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — Deputies captured a 25-year-old man on Sunday evening after the suspect crashed a truck into a patrol car as he sped away from authorities, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

The suspect, Austin Westgate faces 19 charges, said detectives.

According to affidavits, around 6:40 p.m., Lake Alfred police saw Westgate running into a wooded area near Swoope Street where a nearby burglary occurred earlier.

Deputies said they saw the suspect drop a handgun he is accused by police of stealing before he drove away in a gold truck.

Officers with the Polk County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop him near Lynchburg Road, but instead the suspect took authorities on a chase from Lake Alfred to Winter Haven, said investigators.

Police said when stop sticks were used in an attempt to stop the truck near Avenue Q NW and 42nd Street, the suspect swerved into a grassy area and the back of the truck went airborne after the vehicle crashed into a reinforced steel cable.

Detectives said when the truck landed, it crashed onto the hood of a Polk County Sheriff's Office patrol car that was chasing the suspect.

Westgate jumped out of the truck and ran, but law enforcement officials quickly captured him by using a Taser, said police.

The officer nor the suspect were injured in the crash, said officials.

According to authorities, Westgate was arrested on the following charges by Lake Alfred Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff's Office:

Lake Alfred Police Department charges:

• Armed burglary
• Possession of a firearm by convicted felon
• Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon
• Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number
• Resisting arrest
• Battery

Polk County Sheriff's Office charges:

• Fleeing to elude
• Trafficking in meth
• Possession of meth
• Possession of paraphernalia
• Keeping a vehicle for drug use
• Resisting arrest
• Leaving the scene of a crash
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon
• Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number