OKEECHOBEE — A 22-year-old man Okeechobee man was accused of stealing a car in Martin County and then heading back toward Okeechobee with law enforcement in hot pursuit. According to Martin County law enforcement, Kevin Oscarson had young children with him when he stole the 2018 white Chevy Equinox. Martin County ended their pursuit when the vehicle entered St. Lucie County but picked it up again when it entered Indiantown and passed a license plate reader. Martin County also reportedly had an air unit following the vehicle as it raced toward Okeechobee around 9 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 4.

As the vehicle approached the Okeechobee County line, deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued on towards Okeechobee City. Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office began setting up spike strips at the Dollar General on U.S. 441 Southeast in an attempt to prevent a high speed chase through the city. After Deputy Stephen Paladino attempted to perform a traffic stop, and the vehicle again failed to stop, Deputy Karson Reno deployed the spike strips and hit three of the car’s tires. Soon, the tires began to deflate and the vhicle started to slow down coming to rest off the side of the road.

The driver exited the vehicle and was restrained. There is no further mention of children in the report, but the report notes charges from Martin County include child endangerment, grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding law enforcement with lights and siren active and burglary of an occupied vehicle.

Charges from Okeechobee County are fleeing and eluding law enforcement with lights and siren active and resisting arrest without violence.

Bond was set at $15,100 for the Okeechobee charges.