More than 20 Orange County deputies respond to search for SUV theft suspects

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Despite a massive law enforcement response, three men wanted in connection with a stolen SUV remained on the loose Wednesday night in Orange County, deputies said.

The incident was reported by a deputy in the 5300 block of Young Pine Road after he tried to pull over the SUV, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

While trying to flee, the SUV nearly ran over the deputy and he was hit with the door of the car as the three men inside got out to escape on foot, investigators said.

The deputy was not injured in the incident.

The sheriff’s office helicopter responded to help in the search, which also involved K-9s and about 20 deputies, officials said.

After about three hours of searching, the men had not been found.

The deputy who initially tried to stop the three in the SUV said they were acting suspiciously and appeared to be casing the area for possible burglaries, investigators said.

The SUV was subsequently determined to be stolen, deputies said.

Officials did not believe the three men were armed.

Cox Media Group