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Police: Man shot at truck thief 18 times in Winter Garden

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — A man shot at least 18 times at someone who had stolen his pickup truck early Monday from an apartment complex, the Winter Garden Police Department said.

The shooting happened shortly before 5:30 a.m. when a man heard someone stealing his vehicle, Winter Garden police Lt. Scott Allen said.

The man got into another vehicle and then chased the suspect to West Colonial Drive and Daniels Road, where the suspect rammed the stolen truck into the man’s vehicle, Allen said.

Photos: Crash scene in Winter Garden

Investigators said the victim then shot at the thief 18 times, but it’s unlikely the suspect was struck.

“He’s advising he was in fear for his life when the vehicle rammed him, and he took the actions he took,” Allen said. “We're looking into all aspects of the investigation.”

Police said the person who stole the vehicle tried to back out and reverse, sideswiping several cars in the process and damaging a fire hydrant near a McDonald’s restaurant.

The restaurant was closed while crews repaired the damaged hydrant, which was spewing water.

The suspect then fled the crashed truck and remains at large, Allen said.

Police said the victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries he sustained during the collision.

The crash caused Daniels Road to be closed for a time, but it has since been reopened.

A bus was stolen from a nearby day care for children with special needs, Allen said, but investigators haven’t determined if the vehicle thefts are connected.

“Thank God we have another van that was the one they used to get the kids this morning,” said Joann Maldonado, director Bright Start daycare.

The van was dumped at the same complex where the Ford truck was stolen.

Police said they’re also investigating another car theft that happened in the area after the crash.

The incident continues to be investigated.

No other details were given.

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Watch footage of the scene below:

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