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By CHRIS CHMURA
cchmura@tbo.com

Two Pasco County sheriff’s deputies dodged bullets during a chase overnight, and a man is now charged with attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer.

No one was injured in the gunfire.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Doug Tobin says the shooting suspect, Anthony Chestang, 31, opened fire on deputies during a pursuit in Holiday that began about 2:23 a.m. At least three shots were fired from what appears to be a .357 caliber handgun, Tobin said.

Four minutes later the car chase ended with a crash in a mobile home park. A foot chase commenced.

Deputies converged on Tiki Dr., where resident Kathy Hymore said the Chestang’s passenger asked to use the telephone. Hymore refused, telling News Channel 8, “I shut the front door.”

“I thought it was strange somebody was out at three o’clock in the morning,” Hymore said.

After a canine unit was dispatched to the scene both Chestang and the woman were taken into custody.

Tobin said the passenger, Stephanie Porter, is considered a witness, and has not been charged.

The Sheriff’s office said the incident began when Deputy Roger Brown and Sgt. Jeff Bousquet were investigating a suspicious vehicle outside a Radio Shack. A burglary had recently taken place in that area, deputies said.

Stay with TBO.com for developments.

News Channel 8’s Chip Osowski contributed to this report.

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