Share and Follow
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man and woman were arrested after a license plate reader alerted deputies to a stolen U-Haul van at a Wawa in Sarasota, leading to a full-on pursuit.
According to the Sarasota Police Department, shortly after the reader alerted them to the stolen van, deputies attempted to box in the U-Haul when the driver, identified as Travis Silva, rammed into their vehicles and took off.
Surveillance video shows the van speeding off, slamming the cruiser into a post and a trash can in the process.
From above, SPD’s aviation team followed the pursuit as it moved north on I-75, reaching speeds of 90 mph.
The pursuit soon crossed over county lines, where Manatee deputies were waiting to deploy stop sticks on I-275.
The stop sticks disabled the front tires, but Silva persisted as he continued driving over the Skyway Bridge, SPD said.
At this point, Florida Highway Patrol had joined the pursuit and was able to end it with a precision PIT maneuver.
According to the Sarasota Police Department, both Silva and his passenger, Tamicka Raburn, had active warrants.
The Sarasota Police Department arrested the duo, and Silva was charged with fleeing to elude, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief, stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and driving under the influence. Raburn was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.