NAPLES
Two Fort Myers teenagers are facing felony charges after they led Collier County deputies on a brief pursuit in North Naples and crashing the cars they’d stolen, according to the department.
Deputies responded to report of a possible burglary around 1 a.m. Tuesday in the 6100 block of Cypress Hollow Way. The caller told deputies he heard his car alarm go off. He says he went outside to check and saw a white Jeep and a gray Nissan sedan driving without lights on.
Deputies spotted two vehicles matching that description at the intersection of Pine Ridge Road and Shirley Street. Deputies ran the plates and found that the Jeep had been reported stolen out of Lee County.
Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop but both vehicles sped up, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph. They pursued the vehicles and the chase ended with the Jeep and Nissan colliding into each other and a gat in the parking lot at Clam Pass Park.
The driver of the Nissan, identified as 15-year-old Robert Raybon got out of the car and ran toward the beach, where he attempted to throw a handgun into the Gulf before being apprehended by deputies.
The occupants of the Jeep, 17-year-old driver Jermaine Bursey and a juvenile passenger, also ran from their vehicle.
With the help of the Aviation Unit, a perimeter was established and K9 deputies were deployed.
Deputies spotted the drivers in the Gulf and took them into custody.
Further investigation showed the Nissan, as well as the gun Raybon had in his possession, were also reported stolen out of Lee County.
Raybon is charged with grand theft auto, grand theft of a firearm, minor in possession of a firearm, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest without violence and driving without a license.
Bursey is charged with grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest without violence.
The passenger in the Jeep was also arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. His identity is exempt from release under Florida State Statute 119.