Three people were taken into custody after a high pursuit that led police from Tarpon Springs to Lakeland, Florida.
The incident began when officers from the Tarpon Springs Police Department responded to the 1000 block of Lancer Lane on Sunday, November 29th at approximately 7:45 a.m. in reference to an armed robbery.
The victim, who is not being identified, advised detectives that she was apparently followed home to her residence from her workplace in Tampa by the suspects. Once she arrived home, one of the suspects approached her and pointed a handgun at her and removed her property from her person while a second suspect removed items from the front seat area of her vehicle.
The suspects left the scene in a grey colored Kia and were spotted by a Tarpon Springs Police officer who attempted to stop the suspects however they refused and a pursuit ensued.
During the pursuit, the Tarpon Springs Police officer was involved in a crash at East Lake Road and Tampa Road in Palm Harbor.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office units continued the pursuit, which entered into Hillsborough County then back into Pinellas County over the Howard Frankland bridge. After exiting on 4th Street, the vehicle ultimately headed back eastbound on the bridge and continued onto the eastbound lanes of I-4.
The pursuit, which at times reached speeds of 120 mph, ended at the entrance ramp from US-98 onto I-4 in the Lakeland area of Polk County. The pursuit was terminated with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol where a PIT maneuver was utilized. The suspects’ vehicle struck the trooper’s vehicle. The trooper suffered minor injuries.
Two males and one female were taken into custody.
Detectives anticipate charges of armed robbery forthcoming for the suspects, who are in the process of being identified. The officer involved in the crash was not injured.
