ST. PETERSBURG — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is investigating an early-morning disturbance in a restaurant parking lot that ended with a deputy shooting at a car.
Deputies were called at 3 a.m. Monday to the Waffle House, 2525 54th Ave. N, for reports of a disturbance between two groups of people. Witnesses said some people were armed.
When deputies got there, the suspects were inside two cars : a white Dodge Charger and a black Kia.
When Deputy Charles Redinger approached the Charger, the vehicle sped off toward several witnesses and another deputy.
Redinger, 36, fired at the Charger, which continued over an embankment before crashing into a chain link fence at a construction site at 28th Street and 58th Avenue. The driver ran away and remained at large late Monday.
His passenger, Denere Jones, 28, of St. Petersburg was arrested on a charge of possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Kia, Jessthy Sager, 33 of Redington Shores was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana and reckless display of a firearm.
Redinger, who has been a deputy since 2003, was placed on nondisciplinary administrative leave with pay while the Sheriff's Office investigates, which is routine.
Kameel Stanley can be reached at kstanley@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8643.
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