An armed carjacking on Wednesday evening led to a short vehicle pursuit and arrest of the suspect, according to police.
Plant City police said the armed suspect first accosted two men on a golf cart in the area of 25 Mays St. He pointed a firearm at the two men, who drove away from the area on the golf cart but were followed by the suspect, riding in another vehicle. Eventually, he gave up the chase.
A short time later, the suspect contacted an adult female, a person known to him. During the encounter, the suspect asked the victim for her vehicle keys but she refused. The man produced a firearm and fired three rounds into the ground near the victim’s feet before grabbing her vehicle keys and taking off in the vehicle, police said. The victim was not injured.
Later, the victim’s vehicle was located by officers and a traffic stop was initiated. The suspect did not stop for the police and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended in the area of W. Reynolds and Pinecrest Streets. The suspect fled but was apprehended by a police K-9 after a short foot pursuit. The suspect sustained a minor injury as a result of the apprehension. He was transported to an area hospital where he was medically cleared, before being transported to Central Booking.
The man, identified as Aaron Tyler Chasteen, 28, is facing the following charges: three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, one count of armed carjacking, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharge a firearm in public/residential property within 1,000 feet of a person, flee to elude an officer, driving while license revoked- habitual offender, resist without violence, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
“The Plant City Police Department is very fortunate that we were able to place Mr. Chasteen into custody,” said PCPD Captain Al Van Duyne. “His actions that day clearly indicate that he is a danger to citizens of Plant City.”
Chasteen is no stranger to the justice system. In September 2020, he was sentenced to one year in prison for grand theft motor vehicle, along with several other charges. He was released February 1, 2021. In June, he was charged again with grand theft motor vehicle and carjacking and received a two-year prison term that started March 22, 2022. He was released April 21, 2023. PCPD is asking anyone with additional information about this case to contact them at (813) 757-9200.