HCSO Aviation Unit Helps Capture Grand Theft Auto Suspect

On 5-26-16 at 10:42 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the Circle K convenience store, 6227 Deltona Boulevard, Spring Hill, in reference to a reported robbery.

Witnesses at the scene reported that four individuals fled from the convenience store southbound on Deltona Boulevard on sport-style motorcycles.

The HCSO Aviation Unit was able to locate three of the sport bikes traveling on Deltona Boulevard, near Abeline Road.

A deputy was able to conduct a traffic stop on one of the three motorcycles.

Another deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the remaining two motorcycles on Spring Hill Drive, but was unsuccessful as the motorcyclists sped away in excess of 100 mph.

The motorcycles continued south on U.S. 19 until they entered Pasco County where they split up.

Deputies on the ground terminated pursuit allowing the air unit to continue following the suspects.

The air unit followed the lead motorcycle onto Little Road to State Road 52 to Hick Road and then finally onto Denton Road, where the suspect, later identified as Brandon Lee Hatfield W/M DOB/10-20-1992, attempted to hide in a wooded area off the roadway.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit was called in and, with the assistance of the air unit, eventually apprehended Hatfield following a foot chase.

The motorcycle Hatfield was driving had recently been reported stolen out of Pasco County.

Hatfield was charged with Grand Theft Auto and Resisting an Officer Without Violence by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. The case remains under investigation.