New Smyrna Beach cops: Two 17-year-olds arrested on grand theft auto charges

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's not unusual for teenagers to get worked up playing video games like grand theft auto. Two 17-year-olds played the real-life version, which was no game for the cops.

Jerrid Buhler and Samuel Parks Jr., wracked up a lot of charges following a police chase at 2:40 p.m. that ended with their arrests at 2:40 p.m. Friday in the 100 block of Field St.

Here is a synopsis of what happened, according to a report filed by Sgt. Christopher Roos: Officers were dispatched to a report of two suspicious vehicles in the area of the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Field Street Substation. While cops were responding, information was obtained that both vehicles, a green Ford Expedition and
a beige Plymouth Voyager, were reported as stolen and the two subjects were leaving in the green Ford Expedition."

Officer Reve arrived in the area and located the Ford Expedition. A traffic stop was attempted at which time Buhler fled with the vehicle. During the subsequent pursuit, Buhler turned down a narrow dirt road that abruptly ended at a ditch. Buhler and Parks both jumped out of the vehicle and ran off with Reve right behind them.

Other officers were able to quickly arrive on scene and set up a perimeter, leading to the capture of the two teens.

Roos said the subsequent investigation determined that Parks was driving the Plymouth Voyager that was reported stolen earlier in the day to the Port Orange Police Department. He also had a warrant for his arrest consisting of four counts of grand theft auto and two counts of arson. Parks was also charged with resisting an officer without violence.

Buhler was driving the  Ford Expedition that was reported stolen earlier in the day to the Edgewater Police Department, Roos said, adding he had four active warrants for grand theft Auto. Buhler was also charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer without violence and driving without a license.

Both juveniles had previously been adjudicated as adults and as a result were transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach where they were being held without bond.