The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested two convicted felons early Thursday morning after they fled from deputies in two counties.

 

On Wednesday night just before midnight, deputies were first alerted to a reckless vehicle that fled from a traffic stop conducted by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was seen by Sarasota County deputies a short time later travelling northbound on River Road near U.S. 41. The driver fled southbound on I-75 at speeds more than 100 miles per hour and continued to evade deputies by turning around twice on the interstate. When the car lost a tire and became disabled, the driver fled on foot into a heavily wooded area. With support from the agency’s K-9 and Aviation Units, deputies located the driver and took him into custody, later identifying him as Matthew Sutton, DOB 10/28/96. The passenger, Dustin Lindsay, DOB 09/18/97, remained with the vehicle and was arrested without incident. Deputies recovered more than 40 rounds of live ammunition in the center console and back seat of the suspect vehicle. Both Sutton and Lindsey have prior felony convictions for suspended license and drug related charges.

 

Sutton, of 2668 Nanette Lane in North Port, is charged with Fleeing to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Driving While License Suspended, Violation of Probation, and two counts of Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. He remains in custody today without bond. Lindsay, of 2045 Lakeview Boulevard in Port Charlotte, faces two counts of Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. He remains in custody today on $15,000 bond and faces additional charges in Charlotte County.

Video of the incident can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel by visiting www.YouTube.com/SarasotaSheriff.