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Car Chase Ends In Pond

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By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 30, 2007

Authorities say a Plant City man drove a stolen car into a pond Thursday night after leading deputies on a high-speed chase that cut through several backyards.

The chase began after Deputy Mike Hannaford stopped a 1995 Honda Accord when the license plate number came up as stolen, according to an arrest report.

The driver, 28-year-old Larry "Tiger" Thomas of 6114 Five Acres Road, stopped at Trapnell Road and State Road 39, the report states.

When Hannaford approached the Honda, the driver put it in reverse, causing the deputy to jump out of the way, Hannaford states. Thomas then sped away, the deputy said.

Deputies pursued the Honda as it was driven east on Trapnell in a westbound lane, passing vehicles. The driver kept turning the headlights on and off as oncoming cars approached.

After traveling about 2 1/2 miles, the Honda drove through several backyards and crashed into a pond at Cowart and Smith Ryals roads, Hannaford wrote.

Inside the driver's side door panel, deputies found a digital scale and a small amount of methamphetamine, the report states.

Thomas was charged auto theft, aggravated fleeing to elude and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was being held at Orient Road Jail, with bail set at $17,750.

His passenger, Tangela Campbell, 31, was charged with grand theft and obstructing an officer. She, too, was jailed, with bail set at $2,500.

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