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A Bradenton man accused of intentionally ramming a woman\u2019s vehicle led deputies on a chase across three counties Sunday night before deputies arrested him in Tampa, according to the Manatee County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Randall Woodson, 31, faces charges of fleeing to elude, reckless driving with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to court records.<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said the pursuit, which was caught on video, took them through multiple counties.<\/p>\n
Deputies said Sunday\u2019s pursuit began after Woodson intentionally slammed his vehicle into a woman\u2019s vehicle and sent her threatening messages. When detectives spoke with Woodson shortly afterward, they say he told them he was armed and would not go back to jail.<\/p>\n
Deputies later located Woodson\u2019s vehicle shortly before 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of Ninth Street West in Bradenton, according to the sheriff\u2019s office. Investigators say he immediately drove away and caused a crash near Sixth Avenue West and Ninth Street West before continuing north.<\/p>\n
Bradenton man arrested after multi-county chase<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office Aviation Unit tracked Woodson from the air as he drove from Palmetto into Pinellas County and then into Hillsborough County. The Florida Highway Patrol would later join the pursuit as he crossed the Gandy Bridge, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Video released by the sheriff\u2019s office shows the pursuit continuing over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Gandy Bridge before Woodson drove off-road near Manhattan Boulevard in Tampa, crashed through a fence and ran into a wooded area. Video appeared to show the Aviation Unit\u2019s thermal camera tracking him through the brush as deputies and a K-9 unit closed in and surrounded the area.<\/p>\n
Deputies said Woodson later surrendered.<\/p>\n
Deputies found narcotics and a rifle inside Woodson\u2019s vehicle, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff\u2019s office said additional charges are forthcoming.<\/p>\n