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St. Pete Police: Passenger Carjacks Teen

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - A teenager thought he was giving an acquaintance a lift Thursday, but instead the passenger stole his car from him at gunpoint, St. Petersburg police said.

The 2007 blue Chrysler Pacifica was later recovered, but the carjacker, whose identity remains unknown, has not been arrested, St. Petersburg police spokesman George Kajtsa said.

The 18-year-old went to a store at 2210 62nd Ave. S., not far from his home, about 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Kajtsa said. He saw a group of people he attended school with last year and started talking to them, Kajtsa said.

One member of the group - who the teenager knew only as "D" - offered him $5 in gas money for a ride, Kajtsa said. The teenager agreed, but after his passenger directed him into an alley near 13th Avenue South and 40th Street, the passenger got out, went to the driver's side, pulled out a handgun and told the teenager to get out of the vehicle, Kajtsa said.

A little more than three hours after the carjacking, police spotted the Pacifica and, after a short pursuit, stopped the vehicle at Ninth Avenue South and 10th Street, Kajtsa said.

The person driving the Pacifica was arrested. Xavier Lavon Wooten, 18, of St. Petersburg was charged with fleeing and eluding, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest without violence.

There were two passengers, Kajtsa said. One remained at the vehicle and was not arrested; the other was "D," who ran off and has not been apprehended, Kajtsa said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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