Two Crestview men are among three teenagers charged in connection with a Monday car burglary that led to a chase and foot pursuit.
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the Tom Thumb Convenience store — 1096 N. Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach — around 9 a.m. yesterday after a man reported that a teen went into a car while the vehicle's owner was inside paying for gas. He said the teens then left in a Lincoln Town Car.
Deputies spotted the vehicle several blocks away. The driver, later identified as 18-year-old Jeffrey Lamar Brown Jr., of Crestview, refused to stop and sped away at a high rate of speed, according to the OCSO.
During a pursuit, Brown intentionally hit the front end of a deputy’s marked patrol car, the OCSO stated. Brown continued to try to get away and crashed into a Waste Management garbage truck at Pier One Apartments on Pelham Road. Another deputy swerved to avoid Brown’s vehicle. His patrol car was struck on the right front corner.
Brown fled but was caught after a short foot pursuit. Two passengers were also detained.
Brown is charged with fleeing and eluding, grand theft of a motor vehicle, burglary to a conveyance, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
The passengers, 19-year-old Darius Wilks of Crestview and 18-year-old Vanessa Forgione, undisclosed location, are charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and burglary to a conveyance.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 Crestview men charged after car burglary, attempted getaway