Four Attempted Burglary Suspects Caught With Stolen Car

Samsula, FL - A 20-year-old and three juvenile suspects are now facing charges after Volusia County deputies found out that they drove a stolen car to an attempted burglary in Deltona. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office was first alerted to the suspects late Wednesday afternoon (October 21st) after a license plate reader reported the stolen 2017 Lexus, which ran from a deputy near State Road 44 and Tomoka Farms Road. VSO’s Air One helicopter immediately responded and spotted the stolen car parked at a Dollar General in the area. As a deputy approached, he noticed a group of young men walking away from the Dollar General as Air One advised responding units that they were seen walking into a nearby Kangaroo convenience store. When the deputy walked into the store, he detained three suspects as a fourth ran out of a side door. Another then began to chase after the running suspect on foot as the other deputy waited for additional units to respond. The fleeing suspect eventually ran into a field but was soon detained by VSO thanks to the help of a bystander. According to a release from VSO, deputies determined that all four suspects were involved in an attempted residential burglary in Deltona, where they and their stolen vehicle were recorded on home video surveillance. The suspects, who have been identified as 20-year-old Ernst Baptiste Jr., 17-year-old John Williams and 16-year-olds Jhamiel Joseph and Tavarious Jiles, are now facing multiple charges, including attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, resisting without violence. Baptiste Jr. is facing additional charges related to grand theft of a motor vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, trespassing, possession of burglary tools and grand theft. Joseph is also facing additional charges for grand theft and driving without a license. All four suspects are also not from the area. According to VSO, Baptiste Jr. and Jiles come from Sanford, while Joseph and Williams come from Orlando. The three juveniles were transported to the Department of Juvenile while Baptiste Jr. remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $16,500 bond.