VSO In On Capture Of Patrol Car Thief

New Smyrna Beach, FL – A man who stole a Cocoa Police Department (CPD) patrol car yesterday (May 6) then headed north on I-95 into Volusia County is now in the Volusia County Jail. Preliminary information released by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) shows that they were alerted to the stolen vehicle entering Volusia County at 4:15 p..m. A pursuing police officer was able to force the stolen vehicle off the road into the woods about midway between the S.R. 44 exit and the Dunlawton Avenue exit. The car crashed and became stuck near the 252-mile marker.  As additional law enforcement vehicles converged on the area, the suspect was able to jump out of the wrecked patrol car and into another Cocoa Police Department vehicle, again fleeing northbound on I-95. The suspect got past the Dunlawton Ave. exit before Stopsticks were successfully deployed. Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Division Chief Brian Henderson approached the vehicle. Additional units quickly converged behind them to take the suspect into custody. No injuries were reported. Air One video of the chase and capture can be seen by clicking here. Charges are being determined and finalized, and more information will be posted when it’s available.