Suncoast: Watch as Katarina Vanfossen steals a car and decides to run over an officer in foot pursuit
Scoop Publisher Francesco Abbruzzino
Case Number: 2021-000898 / 2021-001540 / 2021-001799
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Theft, Fleeing to Elude, Second Degree Attempted Murder LEO
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Location: US 41 / 17th Street East / 30th Ave East & 1st Street
Victim(s): (Withheld) Race/Sex: W/F
Suspect(s): Katarina Vanfossen Race/Sex: W/F Suspect(s) D.O.B: 02/25/97
On 1/20/2021 deputies located a stolen vehicle, but the driver managed to get away after being involved in a traffic crash. Later in the day with the help of the MCSO Aviation Unit deputies relocated the stolen White Ford Taurus as it parked on the south side of Mad Marks at 30th Ave East and 1st Street.
As deputies moved in to conduct a takedown, the driver attempted to pull the vehicle forward to exit the parking lot. One of the deputies responding to the scene parked her unmarked vehicle in the path of the stolen car, but the driver reversed the vehicle away from the deputy’s vehicle at which point the deputy got out of her vehicle and gave verbal commands. Seconds later, the driver rapidly accelerated the stolen car forward and struck the deputy with the front of the car, causing the deputy to be propelled onto the hood and windshield. As the car continued to accelerate, it struck another MCSO vehicle and came to an abrupt stop. The deputy flew off the vehicle and landed hard on the pavement.
The driver, Katarina Vanfossen got out of the car and was quickly arrested by other deputies on the scene. Vanfossen is charged with; Motor Vehicle Theft, Fleeing to Elude, and Second Degree Attempted Murder LEO (2021-000898), Fleeing to elude (2021-001540), and Leaving the Scene of a Crash (2021-001799).
The deputy suffered various injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. She is in good condition and expected to be released later today.