Cops: Car dealership suspects found hiding in trash cans

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Four suspects in an overnight break-in at a Melbourne used car dealership were arrested after being spotted hiding in neighborhood trash cans following a vehicle pursuit into Palm Bay earlier Thursday.

News 6 partner Florida Today reports the incident began about 5:45 a.m. Thursday and ended with over a dozen heavily-armed patrol officers from both Melbourne and Palm Bay fanning out across a neighborhood between Interstate 95 and Riviera Elementary over to Emerson Drive.

Melbourne Police had been in pursuit of a white Dodge Charger, officials reported. 

Melbourne officers deployed stop sticks and punctured three of the four tires on the Charger.

The car managed to travel to Palm Bay, not far from I-95. Officers captured the driver and began searching for the other three.

Several of the men also attempted to jump a canal but one of the suspects lost his shirt and shoes during the foot chase, police reported. At some point the men decided to hide from officers in neighborhood trash cans, despite the sweltering morning heat. 

Officers had cordoned off the area and were focusing on several areas, including surrounding wooded lots along with a nearby canal where several unidentified items were located. Police also found an empty gun holster during the search.

The Brevard County sheriff’s helicopter was also involved in the search.

All four were located and later arrested.The men face grand theft and fleeing and eluding charges.