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Police: Fleeing Robbery Suspect's Mom Dies In Crash

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

A utility pole lies alongside Fourth Avenue North after fleeing robbery suspects crash into it in St. Petersburg.

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TBO.com

Published: September 8, 2008

Updated: 09/08/2008 11:03 am

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Angela Rodney

An armed robbery in Tampa led to a police chase into Pinellas County and a deadly crash in St. Petersburg, police said.

The driver of the fleeing car was arrested, and his mother died in the crash, St. Petersburg police say.

A man was robbed at 2601 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, at 10:14 p.m. Sunday, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said. The victim called 911, and less than 10 minutes later, an officer spotted the car, a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, and tried to stop it near Lois Avenue and Interstate 275, Davis said.

The vehicle, with three people in it, fled south on I-275, tossing the stolen wallet and a short-barreled shotgun out the window, police said. The officer followed until the Impala got on Interstate 375 in St. Petersburg, then let a helicopter continue the pursuit, Davis said. Soon after, the car crashed into two utility poles at Fourth Avenue North and First Street Northeast, Davis said.

Angela Rodney, 36, of Orlando, died in the back seat, St. Petersburg police say.

Police said they caught the driver, Junior H. Rodney, 17, of Orlando, a short distance away. Rodney faces charges of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and armed robbery.

A third person was being sought.

The Impala was a rental car, police said.

St. Petersburg police are investigating the crash.

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