ORANGE CITY, Fla. – A man is accused of stealing a car from a funeral home in Orange City on Tuesday morning, crashing it as he tried to evade deputies, then fleeing to the woods to avoid arrest, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
Prince Occenat, 21, walked into Deltona Memorial Funeral on Saxon Boulevard around 9 a.m. and asked an employee if he could use the restroom. When the employee said no, Occenat walked out toward the businesses' carport area and stole a 2015 Chrysler 300 that had the keys in it, according to the arrest report.
Deputies said Occenat reversed into a tree, then drove through an open gate and onto Saxon Boulevard. A funeral home employee got in a black Chevrolet Traverse and attempted to follow Occenat as he sped onto Interstate 4, the report said.
Occenat is accused of refusing to pull over and speeding up when a deputy tried to pull him over near mile marker 129, according to the affidavit. Stop sticks were deployed near West International Speedway Boulevard and I-4, but Occenat drove around them, the report said.
Authorities said Occenat crashed on LPGA Boulevard and ran into a wooded area to avoid arrest.
Video from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office helicopter unit shows Occenat crouching through the trees while clutching what appears to be a black messenger bag. The helicopter spotter helped lead a K-9 unit to Occenat to make an arrest, deputies said.
Occenat appeared to be bleeding and limping when he was taken into custody. He is charged with grand theft, fleeing and eluding and driving with a suspended license.