A man in Manatee County, Florida, has been arrested after allegedly threatening a woman and ramming her vehicle. As per the police, he then tried to avoid being handcuffed by fleeing and hiding from a police helicopter in trees.
According to a post made by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The authorities had been alerted to an aggravated assault incident.
A man, later identified as 31-year-old Randall Woodson, had allegedly slammed his vehicle into a woman’s car. He was also accused of sending threatening messages, although it is unclear if these were sent before or after the crash.
Woodson would then try to elude the responding agents, the MCSO said. However, he would ultimately be unsuccessful, although he did put up a fight.
Multi-County Chase
As per the MCSO, deputies were able to speak to Woodson before the dramatic pursuit. According to the sheriff’s office, he told deputies that he was armed and that he “would not go back to jail.”
Therefore, a pursuit began. Around 10 p.m., his vehicle was located on 9th St. W. in Bradenton. As officers approached him, he allegedly drove away and caused a crash near the intersection between 9th St. W. and 6th Ave.
The chase continued as Woodson drove over the Green Bridge, through Pinellas County, and into Hillsborough County. The MCSO deployed its Aviation Unit and tracked him down.
Tree Hiding, Failed
Woodson then drove over the Gandy Bridge in Tampa, Florida. At around that moment, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) began assisting the MCSO in pursuing Woodson.
The vehicle pursuit eventually came to a stop. Not because Woodson voluntarily stopped and surrendered, but rather because he crashed into a fence near Manhattan Boulevard, as shown in FHP footage shared with 10 Tampa Bay News.
Woodson then exited his now-crashed vehicle and ran, the MCSO said. He would then seek refuge in a nearby patch of trees. Little did he know that the Aviation Unit, that is, a helicopter, was monitoring his every move.
Arrested and Charged
In addition to the Aviation Unit, the MCSO also deployed its K9 unit. Their combined efforts led the sheriff’s office to track Woodson down. He surrendered once he found himself cornered and was placed under arrest.
Once handcuffed, deputies inspected Woodson’s vehicle. Inside, they allegedly found narcotics and a rifle, making his earlier warning true.
Randall Woodson is charged with fleeing to elude, reckless driving with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, possession of a controlled substance, and felon in possession of a firearm. As per the MCSO, additional charges are pending.