MELBOURNE, Fla. — A suspected serial thief is off the streets following a chase with three different law enforcement agencies through Melbourne.
It started at a Kangaroo Express on North Harbor City Boulevard and ended in a driveway on South Babcock Street.
Jimmy Lee Batista is suspected in at least 10 theft and robbery cases in Brevard County, detectives said.
Melbourne police said they’re still trying to pin down whether Batista was operating alone or part of a larger ring of burglaries.
Investigators first got word Tuesday morning of Batista’s whereabouts from the clerks at Kangaroo Express after he allegedly stole two boxes of cigarettes.
Police initially backed off on the chase due to concerns about the risk to other drivers, but then decided to deploy stop sticks, which had to be used twice to stop the driver.
Police said the suspect tried to run from the vehicle and they had to use a Taser on him before he was handcuffed.
Police expect to file more charges against Batista in the coming days.
WFTV
