A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old male juvenile, both from Duval County, were charged with loitering and prowling early Sunday morning in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The adult, identified as Denzel Stefan White, 20, Jacksonville, was taken to the St. Johns County Jail in lieu of $1,250 bond, while the juvenile was turned over to juvenile justice authorities.
The investigation began Dec. 11 at 2:45 a.m., when a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2015 Kia for allegedly running a red light at A1A North and ATP Tour Blvd. According to the sheriff’s office, the driver began to drive erratically and entered the southbound lane of A1A while traveling north then stopped on top of shrubbery in the median. The two occupants fled the scene and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. A computer check revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Duval County, and deputies began a search of the area for the two occupants.
While searching for the individuals, the two suspects were found hiding in a dumpster on the property of the Sawgrass Marriott. While the deputy could not positively identify the two as the same individuals who fled from the stolen vehicle, the two could not explain why they were hiding in the dumpster and were taken into custody on loitering and prowling charges.
Car burglaries and theft
Deputies also are investigating four car burglaries and an auto theft that occurred in Ponte Vedra between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The stolen vehicle – a 2013 black Chrysler Town and Country van with Florida tag BTXI81 – was taken from the driveway of a home on Dolphin Boulevard East. Another vehicle at that residence, along with two others nearby, were reported burglarized during the same time frame.
In addition, a resident in the first block of Red Snapper Lane also reported a car burglary. Among the items stolen was assorted currency, DVDs and a pair of sunglasses.
There was no sign of forced entry into any of the vehicles.
Sheriff’s deputies say it is unknown at this time if the two suspects are connected with the auto burglaries, as district detectives are continuing the investigation.
