Man, woman accused of stealing U-Haul, fleeing arrest

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A man and woman are accused of stealing a U-Haul truck and fleeing from police in Melbourne on Friday.

Melbourne police said they came across the stolen U-Haul stopped in traffic on Friday evening and attempted to talk to the man and woman inside. Officers said the passenger, identified as Daniel Brogden, 28, got out of the truck away from the officer.

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When the officer caught up with Brogden, police said they learned he had four felony warrants from the Orlando area.

Brogden was arrested and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest without violence.

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While the officer tracked down Brogden, police said Jade Hornsby, 20, drove away in the U-Haul through a roadblock from an unrelated traffic crash. Police said she intentionally drove toward a supervisor on the scene before continuing to flee.

During the pursuit, police said the U-Haul crashed into the gate of Roy Allen Elementary School and three different vehicles.

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Police said they were able to use stop sticks to pop tires on the U-Haul, causing it to get stuck in the grass near Waverly Place and Silver Palm Avenue. That was where officers said they were able to arrest Hornsby without further incident.

Hornsby is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, grand theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and multiple counts of leaving the scene of a crash.

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