Sarasota man in stolen Mercedes arrested after leading Manatee deputies on chase

MANATEE -- A Sarasota man in a stolen vehicle was arrested Thursday after leading deputies on a pursuit, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

At 11:45 a.m., a Manatee deputy located a 2008 stolen Mercedes heading east in the 1200 block of Whitfield Avenue. The driver of the stolen vehicle, later identified as 25-year-old Ricky D. Johnson, fled as soon as he saw a deputy pull out behind the vehicle and a pursuit began, according to the sheriff's office. The driver fled into Sarasota where the Watch Unit was able to take over the pursuit.

Deputies said Johnson then ran from the vehicle in the 1700 block of 24th Street and fled on foot into a home in the 1600 block of 25th Street. Both Manatee and Sarasota units converged on the residence and after a K-9 challenge at the door, Johnson surrendered without incident.

Johnson was charged with stealing a vehicle and aggravated fleeing to elude and was taken to the South County jail, according to a release.

Booking information for Johnson was not immediately available.

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Sarasota man in stolen Mercedes arrested after leading Manatee deputies on chase ."