POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Polk County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man on Thursday after he fled from a traffic stop in Mulberry by striking a deputy, dragging him with the car and ramming two sheriff’s vehicles.
According to the sheriff’s office, Randall Vining Sr., 48, was out of jail on bond before his arrest.
Vining was stopped by deputies at 9:33 p.m. in the area of Gladys Fewox Road and Coronet Road in Mulberry because the Jeep he was driving had an incorrect license plate.
While speaking with Vining, the deputy was informed over the radio that the Jeep had been reported stolen out of Hillsborough County.
The deputy opened the door and asked Vining to step out.
Vining turned the Jeep toward the deputy and accelerated, striking the deputy and causing the door to close on the deputy’s arm.
The deputy was dragged approximately 10 yards before he was able to free himself.
After turning around on the dead end road, Vining swerved towards the deputy’s car and rammed it before fleeing onto Highway 60.
Vining intentionally rammed a second PCSO car a short time later, disabling it.
While traveling on County Line Road toward I-4, the first deputy was able to perform a technique to disable the Jeep.
Vining was taken into custody and taken to a hospital for non-serious injuries.
He was booked into the Polk County Jail upon his release.
No deputies were injured.
At the time of his arrest, Vining had been released on his own recognizance on Jan. 23 after a Jan. 21 arrest for DUI, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.
At the time of that arrest, he was free on bond for a grand theft auto arrest from Aug. 2018.
With Thursday’s arrest, he is charged with attempted second degree murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting with violence, fleeing to elude, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving and petit theft.
