Police: Fleeing man hides behind big-screen TV

CLEARWATER -- Police say Donta Bryant almost fooled them when he hid behind a big-screen TV Monday night after trying to run an officer down.

At first, a police officer who chased Bryant, 44, (pictured) through several streets thought he might have gone out through the window. Officers even used police dogs to search the neighborhood around the house at 909 Metto St. that he was last seen entering.

Then the officers found the St. Petersburg man they say tried to run over a police officer with his 2004 Dodge Durango during a traffic stop.

Police "went back into the residence and noticed that the large entertainment center appeared to have been moved around," police said. "The officers had to physically move a big-screen TV and found the suspect hiding behind it."

Authorities say the incident began at 8 p.m. when a police officer tried to pull Bryant over for speeding at Hart Street and Myrtle Avenue. After allegedly backing into a police cruiser, he fled the scene and led officers on a chase through the neighborhood, police said.

Bryant was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding police, driving with a suspended license, and resisting arrest.

Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer

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