Hit-and-run suspect injured after grabbing deputy's gun

Half the South Chase sign missing and bumper in the middle of the landscaping -- that’s what's left of a hit-and-run scene after a wild night for one suspect, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.  Captain Angelo Nieves says the incident involved an Orange County Florida off-duty deputy sheriff. 

“Our deputy was off duty, traveling in his personal vehicle. He was struck by another vehicle and the suspect fled the scene that was in the vehicle at 528 and I-4,” said Captain Nieves. 

Captain Nieves says that Deputy Anthony Claudio was not working and was driving his personal car when he was hit by 27 year old Vinod Persaud.  “The deputy followed the vehicle to consulate drive, which was quite the distance,” said Nieves.

Investigators say Deputy Claudio got out of his car and confronted the suspect, telling the suspect that he is a deputy sheriff.  “Information is that he ID’d himself, provided by the information. At that point, there is an encounter and a struggle for the firearm, firearm discharges. All of those details will be followed up on by FDLE to determine what happened,” said Captain Nieves.

Investigators say that Persaud was struck in the torso.  But, even a gunshot wound didn’t slow him down.  Investigators say Persaud took off in his car again.  “There were additional out in that area and unbeknown to them, this had just occurred.  Not involved in this, on duty deputies in a marked patrol vehicle attempts to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation,” said Persaud.

Captain Nieves says Persaud didn’t stop for the deputies behind him with lights and sirens.  He kept going down Orange Blossom Trail and wound up losing control of his car, and slamming into the South Chase at the corner of the intersection. 

Investigators say hours later Persaud showed up at Dr. Phillips Hospital looking for a doctor to attend to his gunshot wound.  Detectives say that Persaud is still in the hospital and will go straight to jail when he’s healthy enough and charged with several felonies.