Five arrested in Winter Garden on weapons charges, Osceola deputies say

Five people were arrested Tuesday, Jan. 28, in an incident that began in Osceola County and ended in Winter Garden.

According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded around 4:30 p.m. to a call in the area of Desoto Drive in Kissimmee. Deputies said the occupants of a black Dodge Charger were seen firing guns in the area.

After spotting the vehicle on U.S. 192, deputies kept an eye on the Dodge Charger until the sheriff's office helicopter arrived. Deputies said they tried to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office stated that deputies did not pursue the vehicle, but the helicopter followed it into Orange County. While fleeing, the occupants reportedly threw two assault rifles and a shotgun out of the vehicle onto Osceola Parkway, which deputies retrieved.

The incident ended in Winter Garden, where deputies said all occupants bailed on foot near West Pointe Villas Boulevard. Five of the six suspects involved were arrested.

Deputies said Marquez Gerardo, 18; Andy Mendez, 18; Gavin Persaud, 18; Dallas Francis, 19; and Carlos Meza, 20, all face charges, including aggravated assault with a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, resisting an officer without violence, discharging a firearm in public, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

Osceola deputies thanked the Kissimmee, Oakland, Orlando and Winter Garden police departments, along with Lake and Orange county sheriff's offices, for their assistance in capturing the suspects.

Anyone with information related to this case or similar incidents is encouraged to contact the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477, where information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.