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Suspects accused of breaking into cars in Maitland
Authorities from multiple law enforcement agencies have made arrests in a string of bar burglaries. One of the vehicles was an unmarked cruiser belonging to a law enforcement officer, though no firearms were taken. Police said the suspects attempted to escape through carjacking a victim. They ended up crashing and tried to flee on foot but were apprehended.
MAITLAND, Fla. - Two men are now behind bars, accused of several car break-ins in the Maitland area.
Law enforcement from multiple agencies swarmed the streets of Maitland for an all-out manhunt. Maitland police said two suspects broke into several cars -- one of them an unmarked police car -- parked outside of the Dwell Apartments. Glass and debris littered the parking lot of the complex. Fortunately, no firearms were taken.
Police said as the suspects were in the middle of breaking into another car, a bystander saw them. With police hot on their trail, the suspects carjacked the bystander, stealing a Dodge Charger. Police said they tried to get away in the stolen vehicle, but didn’t make it far. They plowed through a barricade and crashed into a curb.
One suspect took off on foot, so police brought in K-9s to scour the area. Officers and deputies swarmed the area Keller Road and Maitland Summit Boulevard, with a law enforcement officer was on every corner. A couple hours later, officers rushed to the RDV Sportsplex right across the street from the apartments.
“Hoped everyone inside was ok,” Alice Heider said. “Was mostly very concerned, wanted to be sure everyone inside was ok. There wasn’t anyone hurt.”
The RDV Sportsplex is also home to a pediatricians office with a view of the main hallway.
“I happened to just walk up and I saw them carrying him out,” Heider said. “Saw feet first. They were carrying him out and he appeared to be asleep or unconscious.”
That ended the hours long manhunt, but left a mess for the smash and grab victims to clean up.