Advertisement

WATCH: Florida manhunt ends following high-speed chase, shootout with police

A man suspected in multiple home invasions and sexual batteries in Tampa, Florida has been caught and is in critical condition following a car chase and shootout with authorities.

Hillsborough county authorities started a massive manhunt Thursday night after an armed suspect broke into several apartment complexes Thursday night near the University of South Florida.

In the video above, marked and unmarked cars follow the suspect, who is driving a reddish-orange sedan. Authorities bumped the suspect’s car twice, forcing it off the road.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

A shootout followed in front of a waffle house on us highway 301 in Tampa.

You can see white smoke as gunshots are fired. Gunshot holes are also visible in the windshield.

After the standoff, authorities approached the car and removed the suspect.

Story continues below advertisement

Authorities have identified the man as 24-year-old Charlie Christopher Bates, who they say is wanted on several sexual assault charges.

Bates is suspected of sexually battering at least four women and firing shots at several people during multiple home invasions and sexual batteries that police say occurred in August and September.

In one case Thursday, the suspect entered an apartment where a party was going on and forced 20 people into a bedroom at gunpoint.

In the same video, Tampa police chief Jane Castor explains how police zeroed in on the dangerous suspect.

Sponsored content

AdChoices