INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Four auto-burglary suspects were jailed this week after leading police on a high-speed chase before crashing the car into a canal. An unidentified fifth suspect was still at large, Indian River County sheriff’s officials said.
“A search warrant of the vehicle revealed numerous stolen items including three firearms, one laptop, nine wallets, numerous credit cards, and various purses. Two masks used in the burglaries were also recovered from the vehicle,” Indian River County sheriff’s officials said in a statement. “No one was injured during the incident and many personal items are being returned to their rightful owners.”
Sean Cody, 18, of the 4000 block of 42nd Square, Gifford, was charged with burglary of an automobile, boat or conveyance, felony fleeing and eluding, no valid driver’s license and violation of probation felony offense. Cody was held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail on $11,000 bond.
Sheppard Green III, 21, also of the 4000 block of 42nd Square, Gifford, was charged with burglary of an automobile, boat or conveyance. Green was held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail on $5,000 bond.
Meadow Janae Allsbury, 18, of the 6200 block of 58th Court, Vero Beach, was charged with burglary of an automobile, boat or conveyance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Allsbury was released Wednesday from the Indian River County Jail on $12,000 bond.
The fourth suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was charged with attempted burglary. The boy was taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Fort Pierce.
Deputies said the individuals were connected to a string of auto-burglaries involving more than 30 potential victims in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Brevard counties.
Indian River County deputies and Sebastian police responded to several burglary reports about 5 a.m. Monday. Deputies learned the suspects were traveling in a Ford Escape near the county fairgrounds.
A patrol deputy activated his emergency lights and tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the Ford’s driver sped off in a reckless manner, officials said. The deputy then switched on his siren as he trailed the Ford on southbound 58th Avenue.
“(A person) in the rear of the vehicle pointed a black object at me that appeared to be a firearm,” the deputy said in a sheriff’s report. “The suspect’s vehicle reached over 100 mph, drove in the opposite lane of travel multiple times while other citizen’s vehicles were on the roadway, and swerved around multiple vehicles almost causing many collisions.”
Deputies followed the Ford down a dirt road and used stop sticks to disable the vehicle near the 1000 block of 5th Street Southwest. The Ford driver quickly hit the brakes before a patrol deputy slammed into the back of the vehicle, which pushed the Ford down into the canal, reports show.
Cody, Green, Allsbury and the 15-year-old were arrested at the scene, deputies said. Sheriff’s officials believe more victims will be identified as the investigation continues.
“The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping the community safe,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement. “As a reminder, please make sure you always lock your vehicle.”
