Woman hits two sheriff's deputies with car in attempt to flee. Turns out suspect has criminal history of violence against law enforcement.

A Florida woman with a criminal history of violence against law enforcement hit two sheriff's deputies with a car Saturday near Lakeland as the deputies opened fire in self-defense.

What are the details?

Deputies from the Polk County sheriff's office responded to a suspicious person call from Max Pay Pawn Shop in the 600 block of North Combee Road in unincorporated Lakeland just before 1 p.m., authorities said.

The suspect — identified as 27-year old Carina Holder of Davenport — was attempting to use a stolen credit card, authorities said.

When the deputies arrived a few minutes later and tried to speak to Holder, she got into a BMW X5 and attempted to flee the scene, authorities said.

In fact, Holder drove directly at the deputies, hitting two of them, authorities said. In fear for their lives and others' lives, deputies opened fire in an attempt to stop the car, authorities said, adding that Holder continued to flee from the scene but was caught and arrested about two miles away.

Neither Deputy Sheriff Melissa Myers nor Deputy Sheriff Hannah Peche were seriously hurt after getting hit, authorities said, adding that the suspect was not injured. Myers and fellow Deputy Sheriff Joshua Chaves opened fire, authorities added.

Holder will be charged with two counts of aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, armed burglary, and resisting with violence, authorities said, adding that fraud charges also are expected.

What did Sheriff Grady Judd have to say?

Outspoken Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who never seems shy about letting his views be known, said "the suspect has a criminal history of fraud and violence, and that's exactly what was involved here today. Fraudulent activity is how this began, and she elevated it to violence by trying to kill two deputies with her car. Fortunately, she was quickly apprehended, and even more fortunate is that neither one of the deputies were seriously hurt."

Anything else?

Authorities said Holder's criminal history includes Polk County arrests in 2021 for battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting with and without violence.

In March 2022, she was arrested for battery (domestic violence), battery on officer/firefighter, and resisting without violence, authorities added. In September, Holder was arrested and charged with forgery, criminal use of personal ID, grand theft, false statements, false impersonation, fraud to obtain property, uttering a false Instrument, and unlawful use of communications device, authorities said.