Man arrested after good Samaritans stop him from sexually assaulting woman in St. Pete Beach: PCSO
A man accused of trying to sexually assault a woman on St. Pete Beach was arrested after good Samaritans stepped in, and he led deputies on a high-speed chase. Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. - A man faces multiple charges after deputies say several bystanders stopped him from sexually assaulting a woman Wednesday morning in St. Pete Beach before he led deputies on a high-speed chase onto Interstate 275, according to investigators.
St. Pete Beach assault
What we know:
Deputies say Michael Jackson, a transient man, attacked a woman he did not know Wednesday morning in St. Pete Beach, according to authorities. Investigators said Jackson pushed the woman to the ground and attempted to rape her.
Multiple people called 911 while several good Samaritans pulled Jackson off the woman. Jackson then drove away in a rented Toyota Tacoma before deputies arrived at the scene, according to officials.
Interstate chase and capture
The backstory:
Deputies said they located the rented pickup truck and attempted a traffic stop, but Jackson refused to stop and began driving erratically.
Jackson then entered I-275 at a high rate of speed. Deputies said they brought the pursuit to an end by performing a PIT maneuver on the highway and took Jackson into custody.
Criminal charges filed
What's next:
Deputies booked Jackson on charges of attempted sexual battery, false imprisonment, and fleeing and eluding.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not released the victim's identity or condition following the attack. Officials also have not shared the specific street location where the assault occurred in St. Pete Beach.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies, who documented the roadside pursuit and the initial 911 calls from witnesses at the scene.