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Driver arrested after chase, crashes
When a deputy tries to stop a car without a license plate, an 18-year-old driver takes off.
By STEPHANIE GARRY
Published July 1, 2007
CLEARWATER - Deputy Richard Heaton was headed home from work on Thursday evening when he saw a speeding Camaro with no license plate, police say. It led to a chase, two collisions and the arrest of the driver, Avner Alfaro, 18, on charges of fleeing a law enforcement officer, grand theft auto, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license and giving a false name to an officer. Heaton was homebound in his cruiser about 5 p.m. when he tried to pull over the Camaro as they traveled north on Keene Road. The driver made a quick left into oncoming traffic, colliding with a Nissan. Police say Alfaro kept going, speeding west on Belleair Road. Heaton switched on his lights and siren. Alfaro tried to turn right on Lake Avenue but collided head-on with a Daewoo. As he struggled to get the car into gear, Heaton pulled up beside it and approached the driver with his gun drawn. He arrested Alfaro without any more trouble. The driver of the Daewoo, 45-year-old Sharon Cline, suffered back and neck injuries. She was taken by ambulance to Mease Countryside Hospital. Her passenger, Steven Cline, 22, wasn't hurt. The driver of the Nissan, Melissa Baker, 24, escaped injury and major damage to her car. Stephanie Garry can be reached at 727 892-2374 or sgarry@sptimes.com.
[Last modified July 1, 2007, 00:05:45]
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