A man driving a sports utility vehicle stolen from Bradenton Beach was arrested after a high-speed early morning chase Jan. 1.
Jonathan Waiters, 33, of Bradenton, faces charges of grand theft auto, fleeing to elude law enforcement and possessing rock cocaine after Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Waiters driving the vehicle south in the 1100 block of First Street at about 3:15 a.m., according to the MCSO report.
The SUV was stolen Dec. 21 from a man in the Bridgeport condominiums, 501 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, according to Bradenton Beach Police Department and MCSO reports.
Waiters allegedly fled when deputies attempted to make the stop at U.S. Route 301 and 15th Street East on the mainland.
Deputies pursued the vehicle in a chase that reached 109 mph, according to MCSO public information director Dave Bristow.
Waiters lost control of the vehicle at First Street and Sixth Avenue East.
According to Bradenton Beach Police Officer Eric Hill, the vehicle owner signed a witness statement Dec. 22 alleging a woman had taken his car and failed to return it. The statement also indicated the SUV owner learned later from her roommates that the woman was beaten up and forced to give the vehicle to another person.
Waiters was booked at the Manatee County jail. Bond was set at $12,000.
A court date is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
In another pending case against Waiters in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, he is charged with heroin and cocaine possession, according to the clerk of court website.