In a recent incident in West Palm Beach, Florida, deputies responded to a stolen vehicle crash that led to the arrest of a suspect involved in a series of thefts. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) received a call about an abandoned vehicle that had crashed on 7th Place Street and Lyons Road, near Palm Beach Central High School. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a silver Toyota that had been reported stolen three days prior on July 12.
According to the arrest affidavit, the occupants of the stolen vehicle had fled the scene and attempted to hide property in nearby bushes. The items found in the bushes were later identified as tools and equipment from a PBSO Crime Scene Unit vehicle. Among the stolen items were two PBSO ballistic vests, a metal detector, a Nikon digital camera with flash, various bags, a digging tool, and other crime scene equipment. Additionally, items not belonging to PBSO, such as an iPhone, backpack, clothing, and a Snapple bottle, were found in the stolen Toyota.
Further investigation revealed items commonly used in burglaries, including a broken spark plug, gloves, a large concrete screw, and a broken file. These items were processed as evidence by law enforcement. Additionally, a second vehicle theft was reported just 100 yards from the initial crash site. Surveillance footage showed that a Jaguar had been stolen shortly after the Toyota crash by two white men.
The stolen Jaguar was later found abandoned in Lake Worth with smoke coming from its engine. The owner of the Jaguar informed PBSO that the suspects had forced open the gate of her driveway to steal the vehicle. A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was issued for the two suspects based on their descriptions.
One of the suspects, identified as 21-year-old James White, was spotted entering a community on Forest Hill Boulevard. When law enforcement attempted to stop him, White fled on foot but was eventually found hiding in a patio utility closet. During his apprehension, a stolen semi-automatic pistol was recovered from White’s waistband, which was linked to the original vehicle burglaries in July.
White was arrested and booked into the PBC Main Jail on multiple charges, including burglary, grand theft auto, fraud, possession of stolen credit cards, and resisting an officer. He also faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. White implicated another suspect, 26-year-old Denis Fiallosorellana, whose fingerprints were found at the scene, along with Zachary Canavan’s fingerprints recovered from the stolen Toyota.
The swift action of law enforcement in apprehending the suspects involved in the series of thefts highlights the dedication of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in ensuring the safety and security of the community. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about local news and to report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly.