OKEECHOBEE — Additional charges were filed on a 15-year-old boy who was accused of grand theft auto last November. Logan Jason Yorke, Northwest Sixth Street, was arrested May 19 and charged with six counts unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft of a firearm, grand theft and armed burglary of a structure. These charges were added to the charges of grand theft auto and fleeing and eluding law enforcement he received in November.

On Nov. 11,  2020, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Cauley was patrolling the area of Playland Park around 3:30 a.m. when he saw a white Ford van with a young male at the wheel and a young female in the passenger seat. As the vehicle passed, he noticed there were no rear tail lights or tag lights illuminated and attempted to perform a traffic stop. When he notified dispatch, he was told there was a stolen vehicle matching that description in the area.

According to Cauley’s report, the van did not stop but accelerated. An attempt was made on 78 West to stop the vehicle using stop sticks, but the deputies were unable to get them set up in time. Shortly afterward, the driver of the van, who was later identified as (then 14-year-old) Logan Yorke lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and into a muddy field. Yorke and his passenger, identified as 21-year-old Ella Meeks, got out of the van and were arrested.

Meeks was charged with grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding law enforcement and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her case has already gone through the court system. She entered a plea of no contest. Adjudication was withheld and she was sentenced to 18 months probation. In April, she was arrested and charged with violation of probation.

Yorke’s case has not been resolved yet, and the new charges occurred based on his fingerprints reportedly being found at the scenes of some recent burglaries.

After his arrest, he was released into his parents’ custody.