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Teens in stolen car lead deputies on wild chase, swim across lake to avoid arrest, officials say

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Three teens are facing a list of charges after a wild chase in Volusia County.

Deputies said they tried to get away in a stolen car, then ran, and even swam across a lake to avoid being caught.

The suspects are only 15 and 16 years old and are wanted in a series of crimes in Volusia and Seminole counties, deputies said.

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Officials said the chase started around 4 a.m. Wednesday as police were tracking the teens in a stolen car.

Officers on the ground backed off as a Sheriff's Office helicopter tracked the car around Lake Helen and  down a dirt road.

The chopper continues to follow the suspects through woods and toward a lake, but even that didn't stop the chase.

The video shows the trail from each swimmer trying to make their way across and one who turns back.

You can also see the police dog helping to track the suspect in the dark as more deputies move in through the marsh and thick brush with guns drawn.

But deputies said the teen refused to follow their commands.

About 30 minutes after the car chase began, the first suspect was in custody.

Ten minutes later, deputies caught the other person who thought they could get away by swimming across the lake.

Deputies said one teen was bitten by a K-9 and had to be treated at the hospital.

The teens are facing multiple charges, including vehicle burglaries, auto theft, and resisting arrest.

The 15-year-old driver is also charged with driving without a license.

Juvenile car break suspects flee into lake: 4/24/19

3 TEENS FLEE IN STOLEN CAR, JUMP INTO LAKE TO ELUDE DEPUTIES Volusia County Juveniles Suspected in Multiple Car Burglaries Three male juveniles suspected in vehicle burglaries in multiple jurisdictions fled from law enforcement early Wednesday and jumped into a lake before they were apprehended in thick brush in Lake Helen. The incident began just after 4 a.m. Wednesday when a DeLand resident reported a car break-in was in progress. Sheriff’s deputies and the sheriff’s helicopter Air 1 responded to help DeLand police search for the suspects. While searching, officers spotted a black Honda and tried to conduct a traffic stop but the car, which turned out to be stolen from Deltona, fled from deputies. Air 1 tracked the Honda as it traveled with its lights off on east New York Avenue toward South Kepler Road. The vehicle continued into Lake Helen where it finally stopped at 650 S. Lakeview Dr., where three teens bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot. During the entire incident, Air 1 followed the teens and directed officers who were searching in the dark. Sheriff’s deputies, along with a DeLand police K-9 team, searched for the three, who ran into a marshy, heavily wooded area and then jumped into a lake. While in the lake, two of the teens swam across toward Macy Avenue where they were apprehended. The third teen exited along the lake shore and led the K-9 and sheriff’s deputies through marsh and woods where he was apprehended by the K-9 and bitten after refusing to comply with officers’ commands. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken to Advent Health of DeLand for further treatment. Deputies found stolen property in the Honda, which was linked to vehicle burglaries in DeLand and DeBary. The teens were also linked to burglaries in Seminole County. Two of the teens were taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The driver, age 15, was charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest and driving without a license. He will be charged with vehicle burglaries and auto theft. The second teen, age 16, was charged with resisting and had an active warrant for misdemeanor drug possession. The third teen, also 15, was charged with resisting arrest and turned over to DeLand police for their investigation.

Posted by Volusia Sheriff's Office on Thursday, April 25, 2019

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