A two-hour manhunt for a man who stole hundreds of dollars in Florida lottery tickets, then led authorities on a brief pursuit ended with the suspect in custody.
According to investigators, Martin County Sheriff’s Deputies located 31-year-old Andrew Owen Ekren hiding in a wooded area near the Canopy Creek subdivision in Palm City on Monday.
Deputies say Ekren walked into the Mobile on the Run (Gas Station) in Stuart, grabbed lottery tickets, and ran.
He led police on a short pursuit and then crashed his car. Deputies say he got out, fled on foot, and hid in the wooded area. The search prompted the lockdown of Citrus Grove Elementary School.
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Ekren, who is from Virginia, has a history of theft, fleeing and eluding, and other crimes. He was taken the to Martin County Jail for processing.
“Ekron is the latest recipient in a long line of Martin County’s criminal chance takers, where the odds of getting caught are a “lotto” better than any bonus ball!” said Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
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