A high speed car chase prompted by theft at a local hardware store and led Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies through the streets of Bloomingdale and FishHawk communities ended with the suspect crashing his vehicle off the road bringing the pursuit to a halt.
According to deputies on January 2, 2013 at approximately 9:10 a.m., Plant City resident Glenn Maxwell, 30, entered the Ace Hardware Store located at 865 Bloomingdale Avenue East and stole miscellaneous items.
When confronted by the store manager, the suspect gave the manager his identification and then fled the store on foot.
Deputies responded to the Ace Hardware and were unable to locate the suspect.
Approximately one hour later, a work crew that was re-surfacing the tennis court at Brookside Manor apartments located at Rosemead Lane and Bell Shoals Road, heard one of their trucks (2001 Dodge Pick Up) start up and observed a subject later identified as Maxwell trying to drive off in the work truck.
The subject damaged the fence of the tennis court and a picnic table causing approximately $3,000 in damage as he tried to flee the area.
Deputies again responded and came in contact with Maxwell driving the truck in the area of Fish Hawk Boulevard and Osprey Ridge Drive.
A chase ensued as deputies pursued the vehicle to the area of Edison Road and Keysville Drive where the Maxwell crashed into an orange grove and was apprehended by deputies without injuries.
Maxwell was charged with Grand Theft Auto, Burglary of a Vehicle, Felony Criminal Mischief, Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement personnel.
