JUPITER, Fla. — 23-year-old Louis Charles McKenzie is in custody after police say he stole a Jupiter Police Department (JPD) cruiser Sunday morning following reports of attempted vehicle break-ins.
Around 6 a.m., officers responded to Marlin Drive after a delayed report of a suspicious person trying to enter cars. A police drone spotted the suspect attempting more break-ins, prompting a foot chase.
Additionally, the police drone spotted a vehicle parked on the roadway that showed a heat signature, meaning the engine was still hot and had been operated recently. It was later discovered that this was the suspect's car, and he had been living in it for two months.
During the pursuit, police say the suspect was able to get inside an unattended JPD patrol vehicle and drive off at a high speed.
According to the arrest affidavit, the cruiser was equipped with specialty equipment to include overhead light bars, ballistic equipment, and firearms. They estimate the vehicle is worth $57,000.
An officer discharged their weapon at the suspect, but authorities said he was not hit and is uninjured.
The stolen cruiser was tracked via GPS and later spotted by a North Palm Beach police officer in Lake Park, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
McKenzie stated, "I'm done. I'm done." No officer nor a member of the public was harmed during the incident.
In the investigations following his arrest, McKenzie was found to have been a convicted felon and on Florida inmate release status.
McKenzie said he did not recall breaking into any vehicles, and he began to regain his memory while being fired upon.
Mckenzie was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on the following counts: Grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a short barreled rifle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, 3 counts of burglary to a vehicle, 4 counts of attempted burglary to a vehicle, grand theft, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of burglary tools.
