Man killed while confronting car theft suspect
PCSO photo
HUDSON (FOX 13) - Pasco deputies say a man was killed Thursday afternoon while trying to chase down a thief who stole his van.
According to an arrest report, Antonio Pererira and his daughters spotted their van that had been stolen the day before. They followed the van to a parking lot off U.S. 19, just north of Little Road in Hudson, and used another vehicle to block the exit to the lot.
That's when Pereira got out of his car and tried to confront the driver, but was run over. He later died at Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center.
Deputies say Bethia Politis was behind the wheel and tried to flee into a neighboring business, but employees held her until deputies arrived.
The 33-year-old is facing charges of felony murder and grand theft auto.