Go directly to jail; do not pass Go

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

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Click on the image for a larger map.

A stolen car chase Tuesday morning ironically ended at the Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.

The vehicle, a Burgundy Dodge Caravan, was stolen at 7:30 a.m. from the Git and Go store at 5320 Faulkenberg Road N.

A woman got out of the van and left the keys in the car. When she looked out of the store she saw a man take off in the vehicle.

A detective saw the van and notified marked police cars in the area.

Two deputies followed the van from Brandon down I-75 through Manatee County and into Sarasota County. The pursuit was at a low speed, with a helicopter overhead and patrol units a mile behind.

The suspect turned the van around and headed back north on I-75. He exited at Highway 60.

Deputies placed stop sticks at Adamo Drive, which the suspect avoided. Instead, after the two-hour chase he pulled into the jail and surrendered.

Darryl Morton, 41, is charged with grand theft auto and fleeing and eluding.