FELLSMERE — A 25-year-old Palm Bay man who stole his friend’s vehicle was arrested after leading police on a high-speed, two-county chase that ended with the car crashing into a ditch, officials said.
“We were pleased to assist officers of the Melbourne Police Department in the apprehension of Quaheim Stephens Jones,” Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry said. “Suspects who flee law enforcement in this manner place communities at risk and we are happy that no one was harmed as a result of his crime.”
No major injuries were reported in the early Tuesday wreck, Melbourne Police Lieutenant Trevor Shaffer said. Jones got into an argument with his friend, a woman, over the vehicle and then stole her rented blue Nissan Sentra, Shaffer said.
Quaheim Stephens Jones
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Melbourne police officers and Brevard deputies were pursuing Jones, who drove the car from Brevard County into Indian River County, reports show. Fellsmere police assisted the agencies in detaining Jones and two passengers he had picked up.
Police arrested Jones on charges of fleeing and eluding, violation of probation and driving with a suspended license. Jones was held Tuesday at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
Two passengers in the car, 22-year-old Daniel Lowenthal, of Melbourne, and 24-year-old Nicholas Milton, of Titusville, were arrested on outstanding warrants, records show.
The incident began about 6 a.m. Monday. Jones and his friend were driving from an acquaintance’s home on Trammel Avenue when the two began to argue.
Jones, who was in the passenger’s seat, got out of the car, snatched his friend out of the driver’s seat and took off with the Nissan, Shaffer said. Melbourne police had been searching for the stolen vehicle for most of the day.
Officers eventually spotted the vehicle about 1 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Dairy Road and Edgewood Drive. Jones drove to Babcock Street and traveled south after seeing police cars, Shaffer said.
Fellsmere police were notified about the stolen vehicle soon after. Fellsmere police spotted the Nissan traveling at least 70 mph in a 35 mph zone on Babcock Street, police said.
Jones failed to slow down for a stop sign, veered off the roadway at a curve and crashed into a ditch, officers said. Fellsmere police helped MPD and BCSO in detaining Jones, Lowenthal and Milton.
All three were arrested and taken to the county jail. The vehicle was towed from the scene by Oliver’s Auto Body shop in Melbourne.