INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 47-year-old man who officials said stole a sports utility vehicle, then led deputies on a two-county chase before crashing, was arrested last week.
Byron Reynard Harvey
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Byron Reynard Harvey, of the 1800 block of Woodland Circle, Vero Beach, was charged with grand theft, fleeing and eluding a police officer and no valid driver’s license. Harvey was held Thursday at the Indian River County Jail on $21,000 bond.
A woman contacted Indian River County sheriff’s deputies at 11:17 a.m. June 30 to report that her red 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander was stolen from her home, authorities said. Deputies later spotted the SUV at 8:23 p.m. headed east on County Road 512 approaching Interstate 95 in the Fellsmere area.
A patrol deputy, with lights and sirens turned on, attempted a traffic stop, but the SUV continued eastbound, reports show. The deputy used the patrol car to ram the back of the SUV, leaving the SUV temporarily disabled.
The SUV driver – later identified as Harvey – regained control and headed westbound on C.R. 512. Deputies said the SUV was “now fleeing at high speeds, excess of 100 mph, and with a complete disregard for steady red traffic lights and stop signs at various intersections,” reports show.
The SUV rolled over north of the C54 canal in Brevard County, deputies said.
Brevard County Fire Rescue crews took Harvey to Sebastian River Medical Center. Deputies later discovered Harvey did not have a valid Florida driver’s license.
Harvey was arrested and booked into the county jail. Harvey has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Aug. 19, court records show.
