INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two suspects believed to have tried to burglarize a home near Vero Beach Elementary School.
Wednesday evening, around 6 p.m., the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a home in the 900 block of 11th Terrace, according to a press release. The homeowner interrupted a burglary in progress when he arrived home.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, suspects Jimmy Spikes, 20, and Lauren Smith, 17, entered the residence by shooting through a window on the side of the home.
Spikes pointed a gun at the homeowner and fled the area on foot with Smith while the homeowner called 911, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were on scene within three minutes, along with K-9 and aviation support. Witnesses gave deputies the direction of travel of the suspects.
Investigators pursued the suspects on foot in the area of 12th Street and Old Dixie.
Smith was apprehended by Indian River County Sheriff’s Dep. Ron Adamson and his K-9 partner Bud-D, and Spikes was apprehended with the assistance of Vero Beach Police Department Offficer Shane Joerger and his K-9 partner Doc, according to authorities.
“It is a safer day in Indian River County,” Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a prepared statement. “I am so proud of the work of our patrol, detectives, K-9, and aviation team and our partners at the Vero Beach Police Department for their efforts last night. Because of their hard work, two dangerous burglars are now behind bars and facing serious felony charges. Our detectives are following up on leads today in other burglaries that we suspect these two have committed in our county.”
During questioning, Spikes admitted to participating in the burglary and led detectives to items that had been taken, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives also located the vehicle used during the burglary and served two search warrants related to this case.
Both Smith and Spikes were charged with armed burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony criminal mischief, grand theft, and resisting arrest without violence.
Smith was also served with an active warrant for violation of home detention, according to authorities. Spikes is being held at the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $87,500 bond.
Smith was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Fort Pierce.
