Port Orange police use Taser to take down grand theft suspect

Port Orange police tracking a stolen vehicle used stop sticks and a Taser to shut down the driver’s escape attempt early Wednesday, according to a news release.

Stephen Browning, 39, of Sanford, was arrested after running from the vehicle once it had become disabled, the Port Orange Police Department said on social media. The chase followed a pursuit that began when Port Orange officers spotted and attempted to stop the vehicle, acting on an alert that it would be coming over the Dunlawton Bridge and was stolen earlier this month while its original driver was checking in to a Daytona Beach hotel.

Three officers were able to make stop stick hits on the vehicle’s tires, bringing it to a stop, the post states. From there, police pursued Browning until he was apprehended and taken into custody, later sharing video of the arrest.

Browning was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was being held without bond at last check.

He faces charges of petit theft, driving with a canceled, suspended or revoked license, grand theft of a motor vehicle, obstructing an officer without violence and two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude, one of them concerning lights and sirens activated. Browning additionally has a warrant out of Seminole County regarding failure to appear in court on fleeing and eluding charges, according to the police department.