3 teens arrested in Volusia County had guns, knife on them: Deputies

DELTONA, Fla. - The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said three teens were arrested in Deltona after they ran from patrol deputies early Saturday morning. 

Around 2 a.m. Saturday a deputy was patrolling the area of Saxon and Sterling Silver Boulevards when he saw three young men in black clothing. When the deputy stopped to talk to them, they ran away. 

A 15-year-old wearing a ski mask was apprehended a short distance away and he had a knife on him. 

The other two, both 16, were eventually apprehended and both were found with a firearm – one of which was reported stolen out of DeLand. 

FOX 35 spoke with a neighbor who says, the teens were hiding in her backyard for part of the chase.

Lisa Crawford says her ring went off around 2 a.m. on Friday night. She thought it was the neighborhood cat at first but quickly realized there were people hiding near her fence.

She recently moved to the community and says, it’s usually quiet, but it wasn't on Friday night.

"I feel very comfortable that the sheriff’s department came right out," Crawford said. 

She called 911 as soon as she noticed the strangers on her camera. She said while the ordeal ended peacefully, it could have had a different outcome.

"You’re in my private backyard. If I had been a different person, I could have just shown up with my gun and that would be the end of it for you," she added.

She hopes communities will look out for each other and report suspicious behavior to keep each other safe. 

All three men were charged with loitering and prowling, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting arrest without violence. One was also charged with grand theft of a firearm and another was charged with battery on a police officer animal. 

Deputies said they also responded to reports of vehicles with their doors opened and other signs of thefts and are reminding residents to lock their cars.