A Bradenton man who deputies say intentionally rammed a woman's vehicle on the evening of Sunday apparently thought he could slip away, but the pursuit ended in Tampa after a crash and a brief foot chase. Investigators say the suspect was tracked across county lines and ultimately surrendered to K‑9 teams after deputies boxed him in.
According to a Manatee County Sheriff's Office Facebook post, deputies identified the driver as 31‑year‑old Randall Woodson and described the case as an aggravated assault, alleging he deliberately struck the victim's vehicle and sent her threatening messages. Deputies later located his vehicle in Bradenton, and the post notes that one crash was reported near 6th Avenue and 9th Street West during the chain of events.
How deputies tracked the chase
The sheriff's aviation unit followed the suspect vehicle as it crossed the Gandy Bridge from Manatee County through Pinellas County and into Hillsborough County, where the Florida Highway Patrol joined in, according to WWSB/MySuncoast. Deputies say the car was later located again in the 1100 block of 9th Street West in Bradenton before the pursuit ultimately wound up in Tampa, where the driver crashed off Manhattan Boulevard after going off-road and into a fence.
Arrest and evidence recovered
Manatee County Sheriff's Office K‑9 and aviation teams tracked and located Woodson in Tampa, and the agency says he surrendered to deputies after getting out of the vehicle. Investigators report that narcotics and a rifle were recovered from the car. Detectives interviewed Woodson shortly after the alleged aggravated assault, and the sheriff's office Facebook post notes that additional charges may still be filed.
Charges and legal context
Local coverage reports that Woodson faces charges including fleeing to elude, reckless driving with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, possession of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, with more counts possible, according to WWSB/MySuncoast. Under Florida law, fleeing or attempting to elude can be charged as a felony and aggravated fleeing can carry enhanced penalties, as outlined in Fla. Stat. 316.1935, and convicted felons are barred from possessing firearms under Fla. Stat. 790.23.
What to expect next
Manatee County detectives say the investigation remains active and that booking and detailed charging information will be released through official channels as the case moves forward. The agency has asked anyone with video or other information about the incident to contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
