Florida deputies catch fugitive wanted for six weeks as he is livestreaming himself on Instagram

Florida deputies catch fugitive wanted for six weeks as he is livestreaming himself on Instagram

  • Kevin Gaines Jr, 20, had been arrested for a carjacking and a drive-by shooting at a skating rink in December 2018 and released on his own recognizance
  • He had been wanted on several charges including grand theft auto, possession of a firearm by a delinquent and fleeing law enforcement
  • A deputy saw his vehicle outside a home in DeLand, Florida, on Thursday and surrounded his house 
  • Gaines was livestreaming a video on Instagram and deputies  shone a light into the window of a house to make sure it was the correct address
  • When the light appeared in the back of the video, authorities stormed the house
  • Gaines was arrested and is currently being held without bail 

A Florida carjacking suspect who has been on the run for weeks was arrested while he was livestreaming on Instagram. 

Deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office released body cam footage of them watching Kevin Gaines Jr, 20, at his home in DeLand on Thursday night.

Gaines was wanted on several charges, including an outstanding warrant from a December 2018 arrest for carjacking. 

He had been released on his own recognizance, and but had engaged in illegal activity while out on an ROR.

A deputy reportedly spotted Gaines’s vehicle at a house on Beresford Avenue and called for backup. 

 

He was seen livestreaming a video on Instagram and deputies (pictured)

Kevin Gaines Jr, 20 (left, in a mugshot), of DeLand, Flroida had been wanted on several charges including grand theft auto, possession of a firearm by a delinquent. He was seen livestreaming a video on Instagram and deputies (right)

Deputies shone a light through a window and, when it appeared in the back of the video, authorities knew they had the right address. Pictured: Gaines being arrested

Deputies shone a light through a window and, when it appeared in the back of the video, authorities knew they had the right address. Pictured: Gaines being arrested

According to a Sunday Facebook post from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy shone a light into the window of a house.

When the light appeared in the background of the video that Gaines was streaming live, authorities knew they were at the right address. 

‘In watching the video, Deputy Billy Leven could tell Gaines was inside the house,’ the Facebook post read.

‘When he pointed his spotlight into the window, Deputy Leven could see the light show up in the live Instagram video shortly before it abruptly ended.’

That’s when the deputies decided no more waiting. 

‘Get to the house, he just shut his live off and said the cops are here,’ one deputy is heard saying off camera.

When authorities arrive, they are met by friends and/or relatives of Gaines who try to cover for him. 

One woman off camera is heard saying to the deputies at the house that Gaines isn’t inside. 

She even makes a $100 bet with one of the officers that the fugitive isn’t in the house.

However, deputies soon spot him. Gaines comes out wearing a white T-shirt and a chain around his neck.

Gaines (pictured) had been arrested for a carjacking and a drive-by shooting at a skating rink in December 2018 and released on his own recognizance

Gaines (pictured) had been arrested for a carjacking and a drive-by shooting at a skating rink in December 2018 and released on his own recognizance 

Online records showed no attorney listed for Gaines and jail records show he was in custody on Saturday. Pictured: Gaines being arrested

Online records showed no attorney listed for Gaines and jail records show he was in custody on Saturday. Pictured: Gaines being arrested

‘Get on the f*****g ground! Get on the f*****g ground!’ one deputy is heard yelling.  

Gaines was charged with grand theft auto, resisting a law enforcement officer and driving with a suspended license, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

He also had felony arrest wants for two counts of possession of a firearm by a delinquent, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, fleeing law enforcement and driving without a valid license.

He had previously been arrested for two different crimes: a carjacking and a drive-by shooting at a skating rink.

Online records showed no attorney listed for Gaines. Jail records show he was in custody on Saturday.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk