Juveniles Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Vehicle, Swimming Into River to Escape Deputies
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
Case Number: 2026-014963
MCSO
Two 17-year-olds were arrested Wednesday after fleeing from deputies in a vehicle stolen from the City of Largo and attempting to escape by swimming across the Manatee River.
At approximately 9:27 p.m. on July 15, 2026, deputies were notified that a white Toyota Camry reported stolen by the Largo Police Department had been spotted in the 8300 block of U.S. 301 North. Deputies located the vehicle in the parking lot of Sonic, 8803 U.S. 301 North, and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled over a concrete median and into a nearby neighborhood. No vehicle pursuit was initiated.
Deputies later located the abandoned vehicle on 80th Avenue East and established a perimeter as the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit and K-9 responded.
The Aviation Unit quickly located the two suspects running toward the river, where they entered the water to avoid arrest. As Aviation monitored their movements from above, one suspect began struggling in the water. Deputies used a small boat offered by a nearby citizen to rescue the juvenile before taking him into custody, preventing what could have become a drowning. He was identified as xx, 17.
The Aviation Unit continued tracking the second suspect, xx, 17, until North River Fire personnel transported a deputy by boat to his location, where he was taken into custody.
During an interview with detectives, xx confessed to stealing the vehicle in Largo and committing multiple vehicle burglaries in that jurisdiction.
xx and xx face charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing to elude, trespassing in a conveyance, and resisting an officer without violence. Additional charges are expected from the Largo Police Department.
Thanks to the North River Fire Department and Manatee Search and Rescue for their assistance during the inciden
