Man flips stolen SUV while fleeing deputy in Clearwater

CLEARWATER — A Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy’s random check on a passing car led to a chase today that ended in a crash 100 yards later, officials said.
Aaron D. Sanders, 19, was arrested after flipping the stolen car he was driving, sheriff’s officials said.
About 11:30 a.m., a deputy parked near Union Street and Patricia Avenue in Clearwater ran a computer check on a passing 1999 Ford Explorer. The computer reported the car was listed as stolen on March 16.
The deputy followed the vehicle, which drove into the Sable Walk apartment complex at 2065 Highland Ave., and called for backup. The driver began driving faster and didn’t stop when the deputy turned on his emergency lights. The driver made a quick right turn, flipping the car to its passenger side.
Sanders was arrested on one count each of grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
He wasn’t wearing a seat belt and suffered minor cuts and bruises. He was released by a local hospital after being examined and taken to the county jail, where he is being held in lieu of $10,250 bail. No one else was injured, officials said, but two air-conditioning units were damaged.

-- Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writer