DeLeon Springs Man, 18, Charged With Stealing Van, Multiple Car Breaks

Date Added: June 07, 2019 2:11 pm

Laura Williams, Office of
Public Affairs & Media Relations

VEHICLE THEFT, RECOVERY LEADS TO ARREST IN MULTIPLE CAR BURGLARIES

Known DeLeon Springs Car Thief Charged, Held on $230,000 Bail

The recent discovery of a stolen black 2015 Nissan Quest led sheriff’s detectives to a treasure trove of stolen property belonging to multiple victims of area car breaks and, ultimately, to a suspect in a two-month crime spree.

Today, Volusia County sheriff’s detectives arrested Jeremy Jones, 18, (DOB: 10/27/2000) of DeLeon Springs and charged him with grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, armed burglary to a conveyance and seven counts of burglary to a conveyance.

The spree began May 17 when the locked Nissan van was reported stolen from a DeLeon Springs home. The owner suspected the suspect used a spare key stolen during a car break April 3 on the same vehicle.

A week later, the van was found abandoned on May 24 in a wooded area in DeLeon Springs. Responding deputies discovered multiple identification cards, purses, checkbooks and a hard plastic gun holster all belonging to people other than the van owner, indicating evidence of additional crimes.

The investigation shows the following vehicle break-ins occurred in West Volusia:

April 3, 2019: A 2011 red Chevrolet truck and 2015 Black Nissan van, same address, Deleon Springs;
May 17: 2004 tan Mercury car, DeLand;
May 17: 2015 black Ford SUV, DeLand;
May 18: 2018 Ford truck, Pierson; a Glock 19 firearm was stolen, prompting the armed burglary charge.
May 18: 2014 white Toyota truck, DeLand;
May 19: 2007 black Honda Pilot, Seville;
Within the past two months: 2014 gray Jeep Compass, DeLand.

Additionally, the 2015 black Nissan van was burglarized a second time, on May 17, at the victim’s DeLeon Springs home. This time, the van was stolen.

Detectives have conducted interviews and processed evidence. Through statements made and evidence collected, the investigation shows Jones committed the vehicle break-ins and van theft during the last two months.

Jones remains held at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $230,000 bail.