Man in stolen minivan arrested after lengthy pursuit on U.S. 1

A 21-year-old Virginia man was arrested Saturday afternoon on the Seven Mile Bridge following a pursuit that began at Mile Marker 86. 

Eric Lee Kincaid was charged with two counts of fleeing and eluding, grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving on a suspended license.

A passenger in the van, Diana Louise Stokes, 22, also of Virginia, was also arrested and charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.

Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Specialists received information approximately 3 p.m. that stolen a red, Dodge Caravan with Virginia tags was traveling southbound in Key Largo. They issued a be-on-the-lookout for the van. Deputy Scott Costa saw the van and attempted to stop it Mile Marker 86. The van did not stop and sped off at a high rate of speed. That pursuit was cancelled by Sgt. Gregg Johnson due to the reckless disregard for safety displayed by the van’s driver, later identified as Kincaid.

Multiple Deputies, Sergeants and Lieutenants from the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys substations as well as a Key Colony Beach Police Officer took part in the incident.

Kincaid held a cell phone out the window multiple times, as if he was taking a selfie or live-broadcasting the pursuit.

There were no injuries reported.

Deputy Daniel Valdes deployed spike strips at Mile Marker 73. One of the van’s rear tires were subsequently deflated.

Sgt. Joel Slough then got behind the van near Mile Marker 65.5. Sgt. Slough was soon joined by Deputy Willie Guerra. Detective Leon Bourcier was at Duck Key. Detective Bourcier set up spike strips at Mile Marker 61.5, but Kincaid was able to avoid the strips.

Deputy Christopher Aguanno then set up spike strips at Mile Marker 60.5 and both of the van’s front tires were subsequently deflated.

The van now had three deflated tires as it continued southbound traveling at approximately the speed limit.

Key Colony Beach Police Officer Jamie Hughes Buxton deployed another set of spike strips at Coco Plum Drive and U.S. 1, but the van was able to avoid the spike strips.

Sgt. Evan Calhoun deployed a set of spike strips at Mile Marker 45 on the Seven Mile Bridge and the van’s last remaining inflated tire was successfully deflated.

Kincaid finally stopped the van at Mile Marker 42.

Kincaid and Stokes were removed from the van at gunpoint and taken into custody without further incident.

Both were taken to jail.