Two Rhode Island men — from Cranston and Pawtucket — are now in custody following a Ferrari theft and car chase spanning the entire East Coast, from the Ocean State to Florida.
Around 3:20 a.m., Aug. 24, Cranston Police Patrol Officers were dispatched to 66 Crest Drive for a report of a home invasion, according to a department press release.
“The residents reported that two masked males armed with handguns made entry through an unlocked door,” according to Cranston Police. “The suspects demanded the keys to a 2018 Ferrari Spider convertible parked in the garage and a Chevy Corvette. It was clear that the suspects had intimate knowledge about the residence and the vehicles they were seeking. The keys were turned over, and the suspects left in the Ferrari.”
According to police, “the Chevy Corvette was located undisturbed nearby, where the owner had parked it. It was clear from the onset that this was not a random act, as the suspects targeted the victims and specific vehicles.”
A Cranston Police Flock camera located the stolen Ferrari in Cranston the day after the incident, according to a Cranston Police press release.
Cranston Police officers responded to the area but were unable to find the vehicle, police said.
“Members of the Cranston Police Department Detective Division identified two suspects, one of whom had an indirect connection to one of the residents,” according to police. “This suspect had previously been inside the Crest Drive residence and knew where the keys to both vehicles were stored. A bulletin about the stolen Ferrari was shared with surrounding police departments. Last evening, a Rhode Island State Trooper saw the vehicle and attempted to stop it.”
Police said the Ferrari’s driver led multiple state troopers and local officers on a high-speed pursuit, through Rhode Island and Connecticut, but “eventually lost sight of the vehicle.”
“Later that night, New York State Troopers pursued the car, but the suspects again evaded capture,” according to Cranston Police.
On Monday night, Cranston Police Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Jonathan Costa, 20, of 77 Stony Acre Drive, Cranston, and Logan Slezak, 18, of 77 Lee St., Pawtucket, for Breaking and Entering with Felony Intent, Using a Firearm While Committing a Crime of Violence, and Conspiracy.
Cranston Police Detectives partnered with the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Marshalls to apprehend both suspects, according to Cranston Police.
“A short time ago, Sheriffs from the Flagler County Sheriff's Department observed the stolen Ferrari after receiving an alert from a license plate reader and attempted to pull it over,” according to a CPD press release. “The driver refused to stop and took off at a high rate of speed. A helicopter air unit was utilized to track the stolen vehicle. The suspects were initially able to evade capture, but they were later tracked to a local residence, where the Ferrari was recovered unoccupied and hidden under a tarp. Sheriffs surrounded the residence and were able to take Jonathan Costa into custody immediately. Sheriffs have established a perimeter around the residence and are in the process of obtaining a search warrant in an attempt to apprehend the second suspect Logan Slezak.”
Cranston Police Maj. Todd Patalano announced Slezak's apprehension Tuesday evening around 5 p.m.
“We are in constant contact with all participating agencies from other states and hope to have the second suspect apprehended shortly to put an end to this case,” Patalano said. “This was a difficult case in order to apprehend the suspects because of their reckless disregard and dangerous high speeds over 130mph to evade capture, putting all law enforcement and the innocent motoring public at risk, along with being armed and dangerous. The Cranston Police also thanks the residents and neighbors for their cooperation and patience in assisting us to bring this to a quick conclusion.”
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