Report: Plant City Thief Flees Brandon Ace Hardware, Caught After Chase

A Plant City man has been apprehended after a chase with deputies ensued after he allegedly stole items from Ace Hardware in Brandon, then a truck from a work crew at the nearby Brookside Manor apartments, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Glenn Maxwell, 30, of 1036 Wiggins Road, faces charges of grand theft auto, burglary of a vehicle, felony criminal mischief and fleeing and eluding.

Accoring to the report, the crime spree started Jan. 2 at around 9:10 a.m., when Maxwell allegedly stole items from Ace Hardware, at 865 East Bloomingdale Ave., in the shopping center anchored by Bealls, Publix and Walmart.

Confronted by the store manager, Maxwell reportedly gave the manager his identification, but then fled the store on foot.

Roughly one hour later, at 10:20 a.m., Maxwell reportedly stole a 2001 Dodge pickup truck in use at a work site at the Brookside Manor apartments in Brandon, at Rosemeade Lane and Bell Shoals Road.

Crew members there were working to re-surface the complex's tennis courts when they reportedly heard and witnessed someone starting the truck and then driving off in it, causing a reported $3,000 worth of damages in the process — to the tennis court fence and to a picnic table.

The report adds that the responding deputies picked up contact with Maxwell in the area of FishHawk Boulevard and Osprey Ridge Drive, in Lithia.

A pursuit ensued, to the area of Edison Road and Keysville Road, where Maxwell reportedly crashed into an orange grove.

"Maxwell was apprehended and there were no injuries," according to the sheriff's report.