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Police say man robbed business, tried to flee

By Times Staff
Published March 21, 2006

LAND O'LAKES - A 34-year-old Tampa man was arrested around 3 a.m. Monday after authorities say he broke into a business, then led deputies on a brief chase.

That chase ended when the suspect drove his car onto the State Road 54 median, according to a Pasco Sheriff's Office report, and a sheriff's dog brought him down after he tried to run away.

Wendell Mickler of 12403 Northeast Lake Drive was charged with grand theft, burglary of a business, criminal mischief, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and resisting arrest without violence. He is being held in the county jail on $16,500 bail.

According to the report, a deputy spotted Mickler while responding to an alarm at Taylor Rental at 21516 Carson Drive. Mickler used two large landscaping blocks to bust open the front window, according to the Sheriff's Office, and stole more than $3,000 in goods, including seven fishing poles.

Mickler tried to flee in a green 1994 Ford, with sheriff's cruisers in pursuit, the report said. The chase continued through the parking lot of Village Lakes Shopping Center, and ended when Mickler's vehicle was disabled trying to drive over a S.R. 54 median.

A sheriff's dog tackled the suspect in a field northeast of the sheriff's Land O'Lakes substation, the report said. Mickler was found with white socks on his hands, wearing two outfits, a dark jacket and pajama pants over a white tank top and camouflage pants.

[Last modified March 21, 2006, 02:30:40]