Chase of stolen minivan ends with crash, charges

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

GIBSONTON - Two men led deputies on a high-speed chase down U.S. 41 in a stolen minivan Wednesday, after the owner spotted them and began the pursuit. Their run ended in a crash on Nundy Avenue.

The pair had taken a white minivan and were being pursued by the owner until Hillsborough deputies took over the chase, Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

To stop the van, the deputies rolled out stop sticks that flattened the vans tires and caused it to crash into a white pickup truck, said witness Nick Lucas, 16.

"There were tons of police around and the guys were sticking their hand out of the window (in surrender) before the cops even got out of the car," he said.

Michael Robert Wilson, 38, of 9827 New York St., Gibsonton, is charged with grand theft auto, aggravated fleeing, third-degree grand theft, armed burglary of a conveyance, leaving the scene of a crash, two counts of reckless driving and not having a valid driver's license. Alberto Loya, 26, of the same address, is charged with trespass in occupied structure or conveyance and contempt of court.

Witnesses said the van hit two vehicles on U.S. 41.

Both men were at the Orient Road jail, with Loya's bail set at $500. Wilson's had not been set.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 00:47:06]