SEBASTIAN — A group from Brevard – including two minors – were arrested on multiple charges after they drove south to Sebastian, broke into at least seven vehicles and headed back north on Wednesday. The five “traveling criminals” never made it out of Indian River County when police and deputies used the Flock Safety license plate reader to track the getaway car, said Tim Wood, deputy chief for the Sebastian Police Department.
Officers found one of the juveniles in possession of a .22-caliber firearm, Wood said.
“We would like to commend the teamwork and coordination between the Sebastian Police Department and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office,” police officials said in a statement.
The group stole wallets, credit cards and other personal items from the vehicles, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The total monetary value of the stolen items was not immediately available.
Law enforcement officials also found the group in possession of masks and gloves. No injuries were reported in the incidents, Wood said.
The suspects, Jayden Williams, Jaquan Jones, both 19, and Trinity Miller, 20, all of Melbourne, were charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Williams, Jones and Miller were held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
The juveniles were arrested on the same charges. One of the minors was also charged with grand theft and minor in possession of a handgun, police said.
The juveniles were taken to the St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Fort Pierce, Wood said.
A homeowner dialed 911 about 5 a.m. after they reported seeing several individuals inside of one of their parked vehicles in the 600 block of Bayharbor Terrace, the same area linked to the other vehicle burglaries. The location is west of Barber Street and south of Sebastian Boulevard.
The homeowner gave police a description of the getaway vehicle – a white Kia, Wood said. Police and deputies used Flock Safety to locate the Kia headed northbound on U.S. 1.
Deputies and police stopped the Kia right before it reached the Indian River-Brevard county line, Wood said. Law enforcement officers arrested the individuals and booked them into the county jail.
“This is a strong reminder of the importance of reporting suspicious activity and a great example of our officers and detectives working hard to keep our community safe,” Sebastian police said.
Police were working to issue search warrants on the vehicles that were burglarized to determine if more items were stolen. Those with more information on the vehicle burglaries should call the Sebastian Police Department’s non-emergency number at 772-589-5233.
“The investigation is still ongoing,” Wood said. “There will probably be more charges (coming).”
