VERO BEACH — Two men are under arrest facing a slew of charges after the Vero Beach Police Department, with help from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, caught up to them following a home burglary and chase through town.
The Vero Beach Police Department arrested 20-year-old Randy S. Heen, of 1046 22nd Ave., and Cory White, 19, of 1650 14th Ave., after an alert neighbor reported a burglary in progress in the 1300 block of Indian Mound Trail in Castaway Cove on the barrier island.
While en route to the scene, Sgt. Frank Adamski saw a white convertible Mercedes traveling north on A-1-A at a high rate of speed. The sergeant identified a large flat screen television in the back seat of the vehicle.
Sgt. Adamski then followed the Mercedes, which sped across the 17th Street/Alma Lee Loy Bridge and turned into the Rockridge community, and struck two vehicles in the area of 12th Street and 6th Avenue, according to the Vero Beach Police Department. The Mercedes was ultimately abandoned on 8th Street near 10th Court.
The vehicle was later identified as being registered to the homeowner on Indian Mound Trail, whose home was burglarized, police said.
At the home, investigators spoke with a neighbor who said two unknown individuals were loading household items into the neighbor’s car. The neighbor said the homeowner was out of town and reported the burglary.
Among the items taken from the home were a large flat screen TV and the Mercedes, according to the police department.
Less than 30 minutes after the neighbor reported the burglary, Det. Jason Jones located the Mercedes driver in the area of the 700 block of 18th Avenue and identified him as 20-year-old Heen.
Heen was arrested and questioned. Through interviews and witness accounts, detectives identified a second suspect – 19-year-old Cory White, who was arrested shortly after 12 p.m. at his home.
Heen and White both face charges of burglary and grand theft. Heen faces additional charges, including grand theft auto, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, reckless driving, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
The Vero Beach Police Department said that the investigation continues and more charges are pending. Investigators are working to determine if Heen and White were involved in other recent burglaries in the Central Beach area over the last two months.
