A combined operation by the Indian River Shores police and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office on Highway A1A late Wednesday afternoon resulted in the arrest of two men and one woman wanted in nearby Martin County for retail theft. The towns where the suspects live were not available.
Five patrol cars – two from Shores police and three from the sheriff’s office – were involved in the traffic stop which began shortly before 5 p.m.
“(The suspects) were driving normal. They hit on our Flock Safety License Plate Reading Cameras,” Shores Deputy Chief Mark Shaw said. “Officers located them with assistance from the sheriff’s office.”
The trio surrendered without incident and police reported they had the situation under control shortly after the traffic stop was made. There was never any danger to local residents, police said. The traffic stop was made by the Indian River Shores police, but officers asked for backup from deputies.
The suspects – who were not immediately identified – were awaiting transfer back to Martin County for processing. No details were available locally on the nature and the size of the retail theft in Martin County. Shores police said they merely acted on a warrant from Martin County and when officers spotted the vehicle wanted in connection with the case, they moved in quickly.
The traffic stop was made as the wanted vehicle, a red SUV, was traveling north on State Road A1A at the entrance to the Mariner Village seafront development, which was otherwise not involved in the case. The law enforcement officers pulled the vehicle over and detained the suspects.
It was unclear if any stolen merchandise was located inside the SUV. Around 6 p.m., a tow truck called by sheriff’s officials carted away the red SUV and all police cars left the area.
“The (SUV) was towed to the sheriff’s office for processing,” Shaw said. “We are getting a warrant to search the vehicle.”