What began as a report of a stolen vehicle ended with a river rescue and the arrest of two teenagers who tried to escape by swimming from the authorities.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reported that two 17-year-olds were arrested Wednesday night, July 15, after fleeing in a stolen car from the city of Largo and abandoning the vehicle before attempting to swim across the Manatee River.
According to authorities, at approximately 9:27 p.m., officers were alerted that a white Toyota Camry, reported stolen by the Largo Police Department, had been located in the 8300 block of US 301 North.
Deputies located the vehicle in the Sonic parking lot at 8803 US 301 North and attempted to stop it. However, the driver crossed a concrete median and fled into a nearby neighborhood. The Sheriff’s Office indicated that no pursuit ensued.
Shortly afterward, the car was found abandoned on 80th Avenue East. Officers established a perimeter while the Aviation Unit and K-9 Unit began the search.
From the air, the Aviation Unit located the two suspects running toward the Manatee River. Both entered the water in an attempt to avoid arrest.
As the helicopter continued its movements, one of the teenagers began to have difficulty staying afloat.
The officers used a small boat provided by a citizen who was in the area to rescue the young man before taking him into custody, preventing what authorities described as a possible drowning.
The teenager was identified, but because he is a minor we are not sharing his name; according to officers, he is 17 years old.
The Aviation Unit continued to track the second suspect until North River Fire personnel transported an officer by boat to the suspect’s location. There, a second 17-year-old was arrested.
According to the investigation, Halloran confessed to detectives that he had stolen the vehicle in Largo and had participated in several vehicle thefts in that city.
Both teenagers face charges for:
- Possession of a stolen vehicle.
- Fleeing to evade the authorities.
- Illegally entering a vehicle.
- Resisting an officer without violence.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that the Largo Police Department may file additional charges as the investigation progresses.
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Source: Wfla
