Hallandale Chase Ends In Crash Near Police Station
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Four people were taken into custody after a traffic stop led to a police chase through the streets of Hallandale Beach.
Just before 2:30 a.m., a Hallandale Beach police officer pulled over a Toyota at the Chevron gas station, 15 North Federal Highway, because it had an expired tag. A check of the car's license number came back that it had been reported stolen from Miami Gardens.
Police spokeswoman Captain Sonia Quinones said during the stop one of the occupants got out and attempted to walk away but was detained. The driver, identified as 22-year old Israel Thezan, decided to make a run for it and hit the gas, according to Quinones.
"One of the officers on scene, when he attempted to take the driver into custody, was struck by the vehicle but was not seriously injured," said police Chief Dwayne Flournoy.
Quinones said one on their officers suffered a minor injury because he was reaching into the car when the Thezan accelerated.
It appears Thezan wasn't familiar with the area and ended up heading south on Old Federal Highway which dead ends next to the city's cultural center and police station. Thezan hit a curb, then a palm tree, lost control, the vehicle rolled over and slammed into another parked car.
The crash was caught by surveillance cameras outside the police department.
"The car flipped and the occupants of the vehicle then fled from the vehicle," said Flournoy.
Two of the people in the car, Thezan and 18-year old Kimberly Tasse, reportedly tried to run off but were quickly rounded up by police K9s. In addition to Thezan and Tasse, 19-year old Daniel Laffitte and 30-year old Travis Gissendaner were also arrested. Police said they recovered four guns from the car, one of which had been stolen from Ft. Lauderdale.
CLICK HERE to watch Gaby Fleischman's report
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