Two 17-year-old suspects were arrested Wednesday night after fleeing from deputies in a stolen vehicle and attempting to evade capture by swimming across the Manatee River, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began at approximately 9:27 p.m. on July 15, 2026, when deputies were notified that a white Toyota Camry reported stolen by the Largo Police Department had been spotted in the 8300 block of U.S. 301 North.
Deputies located the vehicle in the parking lot of Sonic, 8803 U.S. 301 North, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver fled over a concrete median and into a nearby neighborhood. Authorities said no vehicle pursuit was initiated.
A short time later, deputies located the abandoned Camry on 80th Avenue East and established a perimeter while the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit and K-9 teams responded to assist with the search.
The Aviation Unit quickly spotted two suspects running toward the Manatee River. Both entered the water in an apparent attempt to avoid arrest.
While monitoring the suspects from the air, deputies observed one of the juveniles begin struggling in the water. Using a small boat offered by a nearby resident, deputies rescued the teen before taking him into custody, preventing what authorities said could have become a drowning. He was identified as Kai Bensley, 17.
The Aviation Unit continued tracking the second suspect, identified as Christopher J. Halloran, 17, until personnel from North River Fire Department transported a deputy by boat to his location, where Halloran was taken into custody.
According to investigators, Halloran later confessed during an interview with detectives to stealing the Toyota Camry in Largo and committing multiple vehicle burglaries in that jurisdiction.
Both Halloran and Bensley were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing to elude, trespassing in a conveyance, and resisting an officer without violence. Additional charges are expected to be filed by the Largo Police Department.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office thanked the North River Fire Department and Manatee Search and Rescue for their assistance during the incident.