ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. --
A 16-year-old is facing a list of charges Friday after deputies said he stole a van, led them on a chase, and then rammed a cruiser with a deputy still inside, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office told WFTV the teen beat up an elderly man Thursday and stole his minivan, then led deputies on a chase.
The teen then turned into the Tymberskan Condo Complex near South Orange Blossom Trail and when he had no where else to go, he slammed into a deputy's patrol cruiser. The airbag deployed, but the deputy wasn't hurt.
"The vehicle didn't stop," said Lt. Jose Campina with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. "It rammed one of our vehicles, causing extensive front-end damage to our vehicle and the van."
Deputies said he tried to run away on foot after the crash, but another deputy used his taser to subdue him.
The teen's cousin witnessed the incident.
“I didn't know what to think, it was just so shocking. When I found out it was my cousin it just tore my heart up,” said Dominique Forester.
Deputies arrested the teen on suspicion of grand theft of a motor vehicle and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Crime scene technicians worked for hours investigating the scene.
A lieutenant told WFTV the suspect was wearing a GPS monitoring bracelet, meaning he was already on probation.
Now, he's in trouble with the law again.
“He's gone, he's gone, he already on GPS,” said Forester.
“When you say gone, you mean going to jail?” asked WFTV reporter Ryan Hughes
“Yup, prison,” said Forester.
The suspect may face additional charges of assault against the elderly man.
The teen is scheduled to face a judge Friday. The suspect is in custody at the Orange County Juvenile Justice Center.
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