MANATEE -- A woman was arrested after stealing a car about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday from a Bradenton car wash and leading deputies on a chase that ended after a bicyclist was struck and seriously injured, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
A police dog nabbed the suspect, according to the sheriff's office.
A Cadillac was reported stolen from the Blue Dolphin Car Wash, 505 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, according to sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow.
The suspect, later identified as Tippy McCullough, 20, fled south to 57th Avenue East and headed east before turning onto 15th Street East, according to the news release.
As McCullough approached U.S. 301, her vehicle jumped the median to avoid traffic and headed north. The vehicle hit a 61-year-old-man on a bicycle as it was turning.
The cyclist was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to the sheriff's office.
Some deputies continued the pursuit, while others stayed with the cyclist. Stop sticks finally brought the Cadillac to a halt in the 2400 block of 15th Street East.
McCullough faces grand theft auto and other traffic-
related charges.
A deputy's vehicle was also hit during the pursuit, causing minor damage.
Deputies said the chase reached speeds of up to 85 mph on U.S. 301 after the cyclist was hit. There was little traffic on the highway, according to the sheriff's office.
This is not the first time McCullough has been charged with grand theft auto.
On Aug. 8, 2013, an arrest report states McCullough was seen driving a stolen vehicle in the 200 block of 60th Avenue West. Deputies recognized McCullough and tried to stop her but she sped off.
Deputies pursued McCullough with lights and siren as she reportedly drove at high speed until cornered at a dead end on 61st Avenue Terrace East. Trapped, she drove the car through the yard of a home in the 900 block of 61st Ave Terrace, smashing through a wooden fence and continuing until the car got stuck in the backyard. Deputies then reported McCullough broke into the home through a window in attempt to hide.
She was arrested, but the State Attorney's Office decline to file the grand theft auto charge.
McCullough pleaded no contest and was convicted of fleeing to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of a crash and driving with a suspended license.
She was sentenced to 240 days in jail and two years probation.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.
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