Suspect hiding in chimney surrenders to Manatee deputies

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - The Manatee County Sheriff's Office released footage of the moment an auto theft suspect was discovered in his rooftop hiding place. 

The video was recorded from a sheriff's office helicopter and shows the suspect pouring out of a large chimney and surrendering to deputies and a K9.

It started around 5 p.m. Tuesday on 28th Street in Bradenton. 

The sheriff's office says a deputy on patrol saw what he thought might be a U-Haul truck that had recently been reported stolen.

When the deputy got confirmation it was the stolen truck out of Lee County, he followed it to a parking lot.

The deputy said the driver, 30-year-old Cecil Johnston, would not follow commands and fled the scene, ramming the side of the deputy's patrol car.

The truck was found a short distance away and deputies started searching for Johnston. 

The sheriff's office says he was discovered hiding in a chimney at a nearby business on 31st Street East.

Once he knew he was caught, deputies say he slid out from the top of the chimney and surrendered. 

Johnston was arrested and charged with fleeing, resisting with violence, burglary, trespassing, leaving the scene of a crash, no valid driver's license, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a concealed handcuff key, which deputies say was on a necklace around Johnston's neck.

A woman who deputies say was the passenger in the U-Haul was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.