VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Repeat offender Saevon Broaden, 22, who was most recently arrested Monday, never should have been granted bail because he was already free on bond in connection with a 37-car burglary case on the University of Central Florida campus, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Thursday.
“It’s an imperfect system, and the problem is, these guys know that,” Chitwood said.
Volusia County deputies arrested Broaden on Monday in connection with burglaries at three cellphone stores in New Smyrna.
Deputies reported Broaden was on the run, driving a stolen four-door Honda; left the car with his alleged accomplice at the 107 mile-marker on westbound I-4; and ran into a nearby wooded area where he was chased down, cuffed and arrested.
What the arresting deputies didn’t know was that Broaden was already out on $10,000 bail in Orange County.
Chitwood said officers probably checked for arrest warrants, found none, and brought him in.
Broaden was released on $5,000 (10 percent) Wednesday, according to Volusia County Jail officials.
“Property crimes, they run them out the door. You can arrest the same individual five times in a month,” he told News 6. “And that same person will get bail every time.”
Chitwood said Judge Judy Davidson made a mistake because in his view, she is "putting the community at risk.“
The current bond schedule clearly states that no bond should be issued when the person arrested is on pretrial release, including bond.
“He should not have been granted bond,” Chitwood said.
A spokesperson for the 7th District Court said the judge was aware of Broaden’s bail status, but the decision is based on the judge’s discretion and the court “does not answer the why” behind a decision.