14 officers involved in arresting the suspects
Updating breaking news from last week
The Apopka Police Department arrested three juveniles last week that stole a car, crashed it into a police vehicle and fled into the Willow Lake Apartment complex according to the arrest report.
14 officers and detectives were ultimately involved in the pursuit and arrest of the juvenile suspects, who were charged with grand theft of an automobile, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, kidnapping and false imprisonment of an adult and a child, burglary of an occupied dwelling and possession of marijuana.
The incident began when Detective James Graber responded to a report of a stolen IPad. He was able to electronically track the tablet to an automobile parked next to the Auto Zone on 441. Detective Graber approached the occupied black 4-door Hyundai in his vehicle, but before he could confront the occupants, the Hyundai fled the scene crashing into Graber’s vehicle in the process.
Officer John Reardon had responded to Graber's call for backup and was approaching the scene when he spotted the black Hyundai heading directly towards his vehicle at a high rate of speed. He swerved sharply to avoid a collision and then made a U-turn to follow the suspect vehicle.
Reardon lost sight of the Hyundai but continued north onto Sheeler Road. He proceeded east on SR 436 and observed a large cloud of smoke ahead of him, but caught site of a black vehicle traveling recklessly in and out of traffic, with smoke emitting from its tires.
He notified Apopka dispatch that he had the suspect vehicle in sight. Reardon kept visual contact of the Hyundai, and saw a tire of come off the vehicle just before turning into the Willow Lake Apartment Complex. Reardon observed the black Hyundai stop in the middle of the roadway and saw several subjects flee the scene on foot towards the apartment club house and pool.
Reardon drove past the abandoned Hyundai and stopped near the club house. As he exited his vehicle he yelled out, “Police. Stop,” but the subjects continued to flee in between the club house and one of the apartment buildings.
Reardon was able to catch and tackle one of the male suspects. As the suspect got off the ground he assumed a "fighting stance" and clenched both of his fists. After being ordered several times to get on the ground the suspect complied without further incident.
Lieutenant Brian Kennedy joined Reardon and were approached by a Willow Lake resident who told them that one of the female suspects had attempted to open his door and enter his home. Lieutenant Kennedy and Reardon proceeded to that area and on the second floor, contacted a black female suspect, who was subsequently detained.
It was then learned that another female suspect had gained entry into a 3rd floor apartment.
According to the arrest report, the resident of the 3rd Floor apartment opened her door with her infant in her arms expecting to see her mother when the female suspect ran into her apartment.
The suspect told the resident that she "needed help." When police were heard outside the resident tried to open her front door, but the suspect locked the door and blocked her from getting to the door. The suspect then pushed an armchair against the front door.
The resident yelled to the police that the female was in her apartment. As officers began breaching the front door, the suspect ran into the back bedroom of the apartment and locked herself in. Officers forced entry in the apartment and then forced entry into the bedroom and apprehended the suspect.
Meanwhile, back at the Auto Zone, Detective Graber made contact with yet another black female who came out of the store as the black Hyundai sped away. She was being chased by an Auto Zone employee who told Graber that the suspect had just stolen some window tint.
