SEBASTIAN, Fla. – Body-camera video from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office shows the moments a suspected car thief fell from the ceiling during a standoff and into SWAT custody.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received an alert from license plate readers about a stolen white Ford F350 heading westbound near Louisiana Avenue on CR 512. The pickup, stolen out of Osceola County on Oct. 19, was hauling lumber.
Through surveillance and investigative efforts, including the use of the Real Time Crime Center, authorities identified the suspect as 37-year-old Keith Rodgers of Sebastian. Deputies said Rodgers was spotted purchasing lumber at the Sebastian Home Depot while still driving the stolen vehicle.
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The stolen truck was later found parked in the driveway at 443 Melrose Lane. Rodgers was seen unloading wood but fled into the residence when he noticed law enforcement approaching, deputies said.
Rodgers barricaded himself inside the house and refused to respond to verbal commands. Due to his extensive criminal history and previous threats to engage in a shootout rather than return to jail, SWAT and Crisis Negotiators were called in.
Law enforcement suspected Rodgers was hiding in the attic, and after several hours, body camera footage captured the moment Rodgers fell through the ceiling into the arms of SWAT officers.
Rodgers faces charges of grand theft auto and resisting an officer without violence.
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