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Cop's shots end wild chase

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published May 25, 2006

TAMPA - Police say a 25-year-old Tampa man driving a stolen car refused to pull over for a traffic stop, instead leading police on a chase, ramming a patrol car and pointing a pistol at an officer.

Renaldo Clint Worthy of 1610 98th Ave. faces multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, the owner of a stolen car called police to say he spotted the vehicle on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, said police spokesman Larry McKinnon.

Officer Lisa Pariashis tried to stop the car, but the driver fled, police say. She pursued the car for about five minutes before the suspect slammed into a patrol car on 30th Street, hitting it head-on, police say.

That patrol car, driven by Officer Donna McAlevey, had extensive damage, McKinnon said. The officer had minor head injuries from the crash, he said.

Next, the suspect backed up, hitting the patrol car driven by Pariashis, and got out, armed with a semiautomatic pistol cocked and ready to fire, McKinnon said.

Pariashis pulled her pistol and fired at least two rounds, but missed, McKinnon said. Nevertheless, those errant shots brought an end to the confrontation. The man dropped his gun, and officers arrested him, McKinnon said.

McAlevey was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released. Pariashis was not injured. She will be placed on routine administrative leave while police internal affairs and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office investigate the shooting.

Worthy, who lists his occupation as cook in jail records, was taken to the Hillsborough County jail. He was not injured, police say. Bail was set at $21,750.

Worthy was previously arrested March 6 by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, according to jail records.

He faced charges of possession of marijuana, dealing in stolen property, giving false information to a pawnbroker, armed burglary of a dwelling, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and grand theft, records show.

Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

[Last modified May 25, 2006, 07:13:05]