Boynton Beach man accused of stealing cars, breaking into homes in Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach

Sara Marino , Will Greenlee | Treasure Coast Newspapers

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PORT ST. LUCIE — A Boynton Beach man is accused of stealing two cars and breaking into two homes in St. Lucie and Martin counties early Thursday.

Sylister Lopez Jones Jr., 22, is accused of stealing a 2009 silver Toyota, then breaking into a home on Southeast Pinero Road and taking a laptop, iPad and car keys at about 2:10 a.m.

Lopez Jones then drove to the 2400 block of Southeast Wishbone Road in Port St. Lucie, where the owner of the home called police saying he saw a cellphone light and someone's arm holding the phone, on his patio.

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When officers arrived, they searched the home and didn't find anyone. They found the homeowner's car unlocked with items scattered, but nothing missing.

After police left the home, they saw Lopez Jones speeding toward them, according to a police incident report. When officers shined a light to see Lopez Jones' face, he sped up, drove into the middle of the road and swerved to prevent crashing into an officer's car.

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Lopez Jones sped off. Officers said they couldn't find him despite a K-9 and air search.

Police said Lopez Jones then crashed the Toyota at the dead end on Southeast Mariposa Avenue in Port St. Lucie and ran away into Martin County.

Martin County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Christine Christofek said deputies also had reports of a stolen vehicle, a white SUV, and of a home broken into in the 400 block of Northwest Red Pine Way in Jensen Beach, from which the SUV keys were taken.

Martin County deputies were made aware of what Lopez Jones looked like and what he was wearing from Port St. Lucie police. Deputies said they saw a man who looked like Lopez Jones and was wearing a similar outfit in a white SUV making a U-turn.

Deputies stopped the SUV, identified Lopez Jones and arrested him, Christofek said.

Lopez Jones was taken to the Martin County Jail on charges of burglary of a dwelling, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing with disregard of safety for people and obstruction without violence. As of Thursday afternoon, he remained in jail with no bail.

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