High on Meth, Woman Beats Officers, Steals Cruiser, Crashes into second Cruiser,
Gets Shot

6/11/01 LAKELAND, Fla. - A Polk County sheriffs deputy fired 
several shots at a woman who drove away in his cruiser after
she beat him with his flashlight and bit him, authorities said
The woman, who was high on methamphetamine was shot in
the finger, according to the sheriff's office.

Spokeswoman Michal Shanley said the deputy fired the shots 
when the woman sped toward the deputy with his patrol car.
She was finally stopped when another patrol car crashed into 
the stolen cruiser after a brief chase.

Shanley said Lisa Albritton, 26, was charged with grand 
theft of the car, depriving an officer of communication and
attempted murder. Shanley added that Albritton would also 
be charged with driving under the influence of methamphetamines,
driving without a valid license and fleeing to elude.

The incident began about 11 p.m. while Deputy Alejandro Angulo 
was patrolling on Pipkin Road southwest of Lakeland. Shanley said 
the deputy saw Albritton walking away from a parked car and thought 
she looked suspicious.

The suspect told Angulo that her car had broken down. When the 
officer looked inside the car, he saw the steering column was
broken, leading him to believe Albritton was trying to steal the car.

When Albritton began to walk away, the officer stopped her and she 
began beating on his chest. In the struggle, Angulo's flashlight
dropped to the ground. Albritton picked up the flashlight and used 
it to beat the officer in the head.

Albritton knocked the officers radio to the ground, then bit his finger 
and refused to let go even after Angulo used pepper spray and his baton 
on her.

Finally releasing her bite, the suspect ran to the running, unlocked 
patrol car and sped off dragging the officer with her. When he got
loose, she turned the car and sped toward him. As she drove away,
Angulo fired several shots at her.

About 15 minutes later, Deputy Eric Harper spotted the stolen police car 
and pursued it north on Airport Road. When Albritton tried to turn onto
Old Tampa Highway, she lost control of the car. The car swerved
into the path of Harpers cruiser and the two vehicles collided.

When Harper attempted to arrest Albritton, she cut his finger.

Albritton was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for a 
gunshot  wound.

Harper and Angulo were treated at the hospital for bites, cuts and bruises.

Backup news staff writer Debby Mongeau


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