ORLANDO, Fla. (WESH) – Newly released footage shows a Largo man stealing a Florida Highway Patrol trooper’s patrol car and then weaving through traffic, officials said.
At times, the chase reached nearly 150 miles per hour.
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Shane Jensen, 22, of Largo, is accused of stealing a Florida Highway Patrol trooper’s car on May 2.
Newly released video shows the chase on the Turnpike.
It started with a trooper noticing a shirtless man, who appeared to need medical help, on the side of the road.
The trooper talked to him for a few minutes and then went to speak to a road ranger. Suddenly, Jensen saw an opportunity, and jumped for the driver seat, according to investigators.
The suspect drove away quickly.
About ten minutes later, troopers set a roadblock, stifling traffic.
Stuck in gridlock, three law enforcement officers approached the stolen cruiser with guns drawn.
One tried opening the passenger-side door and Jensen accelerated through the road shoulder to escape.
He came across the roadblock and made a U-turn.
Dashboard cameras show the alleged car thief weaving through traffic at 120 miles per hour while troopers chased him from behind.
At one point, he hit 149 mph, officials said.
The accused thief regained control.
About a minute later, Jensen drove the cruiser over a stop strip, and swerved to a stop.
He got out and hopped a median and ran through oncoming traffic and into the woods.
Troopers said they eventually caught Jensen in the wooded area.
No one was hurt.
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