Suspected Burglar Leads Palm Bay Officers On Wild Chase
By Space Coast Daily // August 31, 2012
17-Year-Old Eventually Arrested
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – A 17-year-old repeat felon led members of the Palm Bay Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit on a wild ride during a brief pursuit Thursday night before his arrest.
Palm Bay Police Department spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez said that Keyon Roberson, 17, faces charges of fleeing and eluding, occupied burglary, resisting arrest, reckless and careless driving, hit and run, driving with no license, violation of probation, and miscellaneous warrants.
On Wednesday a black Chrysler 300 occupied by Roberson and two other juveniles wanted on felony warrants fled from Officer Chris Jones during an attempted traffic stop.
“In addition to the warrants, officers had information these juveniles were likely carrying firearms,” Martinez said.
On Thursday CSU officers observed the same Chrysler in the parking lot of the Quick Stop near Palm Bay High School and attempted to make contact with the driver later identified as Roberson.
He fled and led police on a brief pursuit through portions of Babcock Street north of Malabar Road, side-swiping a vehicle along the way.
“The suspect abandoned the vehicle in front of 1740 Barker Street. Residents in the area informed officers that the driver had bailed out of the vehicle and fled to the north,” Martinez said.
Officers set up a perimeter around the area and spotted the suspect several times as he continued to run through yards and jump fences. An officer observed the suspect run through a residence on Deacon Street toward the backyard.
Officers set up a perimeter around the area and spotted the suspect several times as he continued to run through yards and jump fences. An officer observed the suspect run through a residence on Deacon Street toward the backyard.
Moments later, a resident on Brookdale Avenue ran toward his front yard, flagging down officers to inform them that a young black male was at his back sliding glass door, attempting to enter the residence.
The resident led officers to the porch in the backyard, where the suspect was found and taken into custody without further incident.
No injuries were reported.
Martinez said that Roberson has a lengthy felony arrest history and is suspected in multiple crimes including burglary, assault, grand theft, drugs, and other violent crimes.
“The search continues for the other two juveniles wanted on felony warrants and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.
