Police chase ends when fleeing car hits Tampa house

TAMPA — A police chase in Riverside Heights ended about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when the fleeing driver's car hit a house, police said.

An officer tried to pull over the driver on Columbus Drive because he was driving recklessly, police said. The officer called for backup when the driver kept going, and police tried to trap him at Highland and Amelia avenues.

The driver stopped for a moment and then slammed the four-door blue Buick into one of the police cars, authorities said. Police said he pushed the car out of the way and fled.

Police found the car in the front yard of 2405 Ridgewood Ave. and saw the suspect running away. They shot him with a stun gun and took him into custody.

Albert Jarell Thompson Jr., 28, of 2405 Thrace St., Tampa, was charged with fleeing the traffic stop, battery on a law enforcement officer, driving without a license, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash, according to booking records. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he was held this morning in lieu of $25,500 bail.