Cops: Second teen arrested in burglaries and shootout

A second person has been arrested and a third possible suspect is still being sought after a series of car burglaries that lead to a shootout in Cooper City, the Broward Sheriff ’s Office said.

Carlos Echemendia, 18, of Miami Gardens, surrendered to the Bro ward Sheriff’ s Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday.

He is accused of breaking into three vehicles in the 5200 block of Southwest 93rd Avenue and in the 5000 block of Southwest 89th Way. Nothing was reported missing from the vehicles, two of which were unlocked, detectives said.

He is charged with armed car burglaries and grand theft, jail records showed.

Echemendia was with Joseph Peters, 18, also of Miami Gardens, during the car burglary spree about 5 a.m. on Aug. 23, detectives said.

When one of the car owners — who works with U.S. Customs and Border Protection — caught them in the act, she chased Peters. Shots were fired between the two but neither was hit, investigators said.

Peters was arrested later that day and is facing charges of felony armed burglary and aggravated assault with a gun. He was booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center because he was 17 at the time, officials said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Chris Neves at 954-435-2200. For anonymous tips, call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or go online to bro ward crime stoppers. org. Anonymous tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.

Echemendia