Local Police Team Up To Take Down Theft Suspect In Melbourne After Extended Chase

By  //  November 3, 2015

Combined Effort by Melbourne Police, Palm Bay Police and BCSO

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The suspect is identified as 32-year-old Jimmy Lee Batista, of Palm Bay. Batista was charged with Felony Retail Theft and Resisting Arrest without violence. (BCSO Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A suspect believed to be involved in around 10 or more theft cases from around the Brevard County area was arrested this morning due to the combined efforts of officers from the Melbourne Police Department, Palm Bay Police Department, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit.

The suspect is identified as 32-year-old Jimmy Lee Batista, of Palm Bay. Batista was charged with Felony Retail Theft and Resisting Arrest without violence, according to Sgt. Brian Hart of the Melbourne Police Department.

At around 7:05 a.m., a detective from the Melbourne Police Department was notified by the store clerk at the Kangaroo Express at 3088 N Harbor City Blvd that a male had just stolen two cartons of cigarettes and fled the store in a gold Saturn.

The suspect and vehicle description matched the description of Jimmy Batista, a subject identified from recent criminal investigations.

It is believed that Batista is involved in multiple theft and/or robbery cases from around the county.

Initial attempts to locate the suspect were unsuccessful, however, a short time later, MPD was notified that officers from the Palm Bay Police Department had located the suspect and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. At that time the suspect refused to stop for police, according to Sgt. Hart.

Palm Bay Police initially did not pursue the vehicle due to citizen safety concerns with the busy school and work traffic.

Due to the on-going threat to public safety the suspect posed and the propensity for further criminal activity based upon his pattern of behavior, a request was made for assistance from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit

The BCSO helicopter was able to locate the vehicle and maintain surveillance on the vehicle while detectives from MPD/PBPD in unmarked vehicles followed at a safe distance in attempts to arrest the subject when he stopped, according to the Melbourne Police Department.

A strategic plan was developed using the coordinated efforts of the BCSO Aviation Unit, MPD, and PBPD to stop the vehicle using “Stop Sticks”.

The suspect’s tires were struck and began to deflate. Officers again attempted to signal the driver to stop with emergency lights and siren and he refused.

Again, due to public safety concerns, marked units backed away and while the BCSO Aviation Unit maintained overhead visual contact of the suspect.

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The suspect drove through the Historical Downtown Melbourne area before turning south onto Babcock St. Another set of “Stop Sticks” were deployed, striking the suspect’s vehicle a second time.

This time, the suspect pulled the vehicle into the driveway of 3551 S. Babcock St. The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot with officers in pursuit. After a short foot pursuit, officers utilized a Taser to subdue the suspect and place him into custody.

The suspect was transported to the Palm Bay Police Department for further questioning and investigation. More charges are pending the results of the investigation.CRIMELINE-200

The Melbourne Police Department is currently investing this incident and more information may be available at a later time.

If you have any information please call Crimeline: 1-800-423-TIPS (8477)

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ABOVE MAP: At around 07:05 a.m., a detective from the Melbourne Police Department was notified by the store clerk at the Kangaroo Express at 3088 N Harbor City Blvd that a male had just stolen two cartons of cigarettes and fled the store in a gold Saturn.