LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A man was arrested following a high-stakes car theft investigation that turned into a helicopter and K-9-assisted pursuit in Lake Worth Beach.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) confirmed the arrest of Tyler Kimmel, 33, on May 7 as part of a covert operation conducted by the South Florida Task Force (SFTF).
Authorities had been tracking a 2014 Kia Optima, reported stolen on April 30, and found it with a swapped license plate at an auto repair shop on Florida Street. Detectives set up surveillance with support from a PBSO helicopter and K-9 unit before moving in.
When agents approached, Kimmel attempted to flee but was quickly captured after a brief foot pursuit, thanks to the K-9 team and task force agents. A passenger in the vehicle was also detained without incident.
Kimmel faces multiple charges, including grand theft auto, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with a suspended license. The suspension was reportedly due to an unpaid citation.
He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail and is scheduled to appear at the Criminal Justice Complex on May 25 at 8 a.m.
