Two injured as Hillsborough deputies catch car theft suspect

TAMPA — Deputies arrested two people after they said one stole a car and fled, injuring two others in the process.

Deputies said Ryan Butler, 25, stole a 2002 Chrysler Sebring on Sunday from a Brandon woman. On Monday, the woman noticed her stolen car at Fletcher and Florida avenues.

When deputies arrived, they attempted to block in the Sebring, but the vehicle jumped a curb, struck a deputy's car and fled, deputies said.

The stolen vehicle headed toward 122nd and Florida avenues causing a patrol deputy, who was attempting to turn westbound onto 122nd Avenue, to crash into a stopped truck, sending its driver and passenger to Tampa General Hospital with back pain, deputies said. The deputy was not injured.

The stolen car stopped, and Butler ran away but was caught a short distance away, deputies said. The passenger in the stolen vehicle, Clifford Martinez, 24, remained in his seat.

Butler, who did not list an address, is charged with aggravated battery, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest with violence and possession of marijuana. Martinez, of 1201 E Lotus Ave. in Tampa, is charged with trespassing and possession of marijuana. Both were transported to Orient Road Jail.

Shelley Rossetter can be reached at (813) 226-3374 or srossetter@sptimes.com.