16-year-old arrested after running away from deputies in Volusia County

Teen has been arrested on felony charges 8 times

HOLLY HILL, Fla. – Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a 16-year-old suspect linked to a string of car break-ins Wednesday night.

The teen was arrested on multiple counts that prompted Sheriff Mike Chitwood to address juvenile judges in Volusia County and ask them to do more to prevent juvenile offenders from re-offending without significant consequences.

Recommended Videos



“Our juvenile judges need to stop being friends to these thugs, and start handing down some real consequences for their actions,” Chitwood said.

The boy was arrested around 10 p.m. Wednesday after he left the Blue Tide Apartments in Holly Hill and ran away from members of a VCSO crime suppression team when they walked toward him.

The 16-year-old ran into the road, in front of a moving patrol car. According to deputies, he was hit by the patrol car but had only minor injuries and did not want to seek medical treatment.

Chitwood added, “As long as juveniles get off easy for their crimes, we’ll continue to see them pillaging our community over and over. Maybe it will take someone getting killed in a gunpoint robbery before our juvenile court system takes action.” 

According to deputies, the teen was carrying a Glock handgun that was reported stolen from an unlocked pickup truck in Deltona.

The boy has been charged with two counts of armed burglary, two counts of grand theft firearm, four counts of burglary of a conveyance, carrying a concealed firearm and possession with intent to sell a synthetic narcotic. 

The teen was already on probation for three counts of burglary. Officials say he committed his first crime at the age of 13 and since then has been arrested on felony charges eight times.

News 6 is not naming the suspect because he is a juvenile.


Recommended Videos