SEBASTIAN, Fla. — A 37-year-old Sebastian man with an extensive criminal history was arrested Monday following a standoff at his home, authorities said.
Keith Rogers, of the 400 block of Melrose Lane, barricaded himself inside after deputies discovered a stolen Ford F-350 from Osceola County. Rogers surrendered after Indian River County Sheriff’s deputies deployed tear gas and breached the front door.
Rogers faces charges including grand theft auto and resisting arrest without violence. He was booked into the Indian River County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
The incident began around 10:30 a.m. when license plate readers captured the stolen truck on County Road 512. The truck, reported missing Oct. 19, was loaded with fresh lumber, which authorities later traced to a recent purchase at the Sebastian Home Depot.
When deputies arrived at his residence, Rogers was unloading the lumber and refused to communicate or leave the home, prompting a street lockdown and notifications to nearby residents.
“He previously made statements he would get in a shootout with law enforcement before he would go back to jail,” said Lt. Kevin Jaworski of the sheriff’s office.
SWAT and crisis negotiators were called in. After unsuccessful negotiations, deputies used chemical munitions and a controlled explosive to gain entry. A drone was deployed for reconnaissance, and Rogers was found hiding in the attic, where he fell through the ceiling onto officers.
He was taken into custody without further incident, and no injuries were reported. The standoff ended around 5 p.m. Monday.
