A Sumter County woman who led Marion County sheriff’s deputies on a wild chase that ended in a crash Tuesday at Stein Mart, reportedly disregarded traffic lights and endangered other drivers.
A Belleview police officer originally spotted the four-door Hyundai driving in a reckless manner, however, the vehicle left the city limits and the officer ended his pursuit.
A Marion County sheriff’s deputy in an unmarked car spotted the vehicle and picked up the chase. The Hyundai ran through red lights, passed several cars illegally and endangered other motorists, according to the arrest report. She fled on County Road 25 to U.S. Hwy. 24/441 in Lady Lake and ultimately crashed at Stein Mart at Lady Lake Crossing.
The driver was identified as 28-year-old Alicia D. Griffin of Webster, who was driving on a suspended license. The car she was driving had been stolen in Pasco County.
She told deputies that the car had been given to her by a friend “for free.” She said she did not know the friend’s name.
“I figured it was stolen and he wanted to get rid of it,” she added.
She was arrested on charges of vehicle theft, reckless driving and fleeing from law enforcement.
She was booked at the Marion County Jail.
