VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – You can't grin your way out of trouble, but that didn't keep one Florida couple from trying.
In a photo posted on the Volusia County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the pair posed with deputies after a chase that resulted in their arrest on multiple charges, according to officials.
Deputies first alerted the public to Matthew White, 32, and Amber Taynor, 24, in May when authorities were looking for them in connection with the theft of two pressure washers from Walmart. The machines were valued at $338 each.
At that time, White had four open felony warrants and Taynor was wanted on charges of grand theft and violation of probation in unrelated cases, according to a news release.
Deputies said their time on the lam came to an end Thursday night when authorities spotted them in a stolen vehicle near Interstate 95 and State Road 40.
The Sheriff's Office's helicopter unit, Air One, was overhead and kept an eye on them from the sky as the fugitives fled from the traffic stop, authorities said.
The vehicle pursuit ceased when deputies deployed Stop Sticks but the duo ran from the scene until they were taken into custody, according to the report.
Before they were sent to the slammer, White and Taynor -- flanked by deputies and secured in handcuffs -- smiled ear-to-ear for a photo.
Body camera video shows Taynor turn to White and ask if they should smile for the photo. They both laugh and nod in amusement when a deputy shows them the portrait.
For the record, they weren't sporting those same smiles when they later posed for their mugshots.
White was arrested on 15 charges, including grand theft, possession of cocaine and burglary. Taynor was charged with grand theft, grand theft motor vehicle, possession of heroin and possession of paraphernalia.
7/12/18 CST arrest: Grand theft auto, narcotics, etcHere's Air One and body camera video footage from last night's arrest of two wanted subjects who fled in a stolen vehicle. *** We told you about Matthew White and Amber Taynor back in May, when we were looking for them on grand theft and other charges. Update: Here they are with our Crime Suppression Team. Last night, Deputy Woell spotted White and Taynor in a stolen vehicle near I-95 and S.R. 40. Air One was overhead and was able to monitor the vehicle's location as it fled and hit a set of stop sticks deployed by Deputy Bello. The wanted couple bailed out and ran, but they were taken into custody quickly without incident. In addition to several warrants, White was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, tampering with physical evidence, possession of cocaine, possession of cannabis >20 grams, driving while license suspended, theft and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. In addition to her warrants, Taynor was charged with possession of heroin and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.
Posted by Volusia Sheriff's Office on Friday, July 13, 2018