Cops collar Burlington Coat thief after wild ride

Seminole, Florida -- An investigation into shoplifting at the Burlington Coat factory here led deputies on a high speed chase over the Sunshine Skyway Wednesday.

It ended in Manatee County when the suspect's car went out of control and crashed into a ditch.

The driver and one of the alleged shoplifters were arrested. Two others remain at large.

The caper began when witnesses reported three women stealing various items from the coat store. Pinellas deputies issued an alert for the getaway vehicle, which was sported near Gandy Boulevard and I-275, the sheriff's office said.

A deputy pursed the vehicle on I-275 until the 54th Avenue exit. It was spotted again going through the toll plaza of the Skyway Bridge where the high-speed chase resumed.

Deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol chased the vehicle to U.S. 19 in Palmetto and reported the car crashed into a ditch along Tierra Ceia Road. The driver and passenger were arrested.

Deputies believe the original driver and another womon got out of the car near 54th Avenue and I-275, and a man took over the driving.

He is identified as Gary Gavin Mitchell, 25, of 1104-23rd St So., St. Petersburg. He's charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspected license and resisting arrest. He was also wanted on a federal warrant as a felon in possession of a stolen firearm. Jail records show he was arrested 14 times in Pinellas County since December 2005.

His passenger was identified as Cierra L. Jones, 24, of an unknown address. She was charged with resisting arrest.

Both were being held at the Manatee County jail until they can be transferred to Pinellas County for prosecution.

The other two women have not yet been identified.

Deputies say the stolen merchandise was recovered.