Manatee County Deputies apprehend car theft suspect who finds himself in a pond.

Excerpt

In a dramatic turn of events, the pursuit of a stolen vehicle concluded when the driver crashed into a pond. The incident involved 27-year-old Brendarius Pittman, who fled from deputies early in the morning after being spotted driving a stolen Kia Sorrento around 2:30 AM in the 900 block of Manatee Ave. W.

Despite attempts to halt his escape using stop sticks, Pittman evaded capture. The situation escalated as the aviation unit monitored his route through southern Manatee County and onto University Parkway. It was during this stretch that Pittman lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve, causing the car to go airborne and crash into a retention pond close to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport.

Pittman managed to exit the partially submerged vehicle and was promptly taken into custody. He now faces a host of charges, including Grand Theft Auto, Driving With a Suspended License, Fleeing to Elude, and Possession of Marijuana.

Key Information

• Driver: Brendarius Pittman, 27
• Time of Incident: 2:30 AM
• Location: 900 block of Manatee Ave. W. and University Parkway
• Vehicle: Stolen Kia Sorrento
• Charges: Grand Theft Auto, Driving With a Suspended License, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Marijuana
• Outcome: Crashed into a retention pond; taken into custody