Here's Why Playing Dumb When Caught Doesn't Work

On June 26, 2023, I received information from the Martin County Sheriff's Office regarding a red Hyundai Kona (bearing FL tag 62AUTR) that was possibly involved in an auto burglary in their county. Martin County SO Detective Caddell relayed that the vehicle frequents Indian River County and that he has no further suspect description on the auto burglary he is actively investigating.

On 06/27/2023, at approximately 2038 hours, I observed the aforementioned vehicle traveling southbound in the 5300 block of US Highway 1. I began conducting surveillance on the vehicle in attempts to identify suspects or gain intelligence for Martin County Sheriff's Office.

I maintained a constant visual on the vehicle as it traveled southbound on Indian River Boulevard from 45th Street. At the intersection of 21st Street and Indian River Boulevard, the vehicle was met with a steady red light which it failed to obey. The vehicle circumvented the steady red light and continued southbound. The vehicle again was met with a steady red light at the intersection of 17th Street and Indian River Boulevard which it again failed to obey. Your affiant was in an unmarked agency vehicle on this date and uniformed law enforcement presence was not in sight. I relayed the information to the Aviation Unit who gained a visual of the vehicle at 4th Street and US Highway 1, where the vehicle again conducted an erratic maneuver. The vehicle drove from the left turning lane on Indian River Boulevard, across 4 lanes of traffic into the right turning lane without signaling prior to turning northbound on US Highway 1.

A traffic stop was ultimately attempted at the intersection of Highlands Drive and US Highway 1 by Deputy Caouette. Deputy Caouette activated his emergency lights and sirens on his clearly marked Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle. D/S Caouette's vehicle has "Sheriff" insignia on both sides. I also activated my emergency lights and sirens as I traveled behind the suspect vehicle.

The driver failed to obey the emergency lights and sirens as she fled southbound on US Highway 1 into St. Lucie County. The roadway was clear and there was minimal to no traffic as the vehicle continued to flee. The driver was met with several well-lit, safe areas to stop; however, they failed to do so.

Approximately 1 mile into Saint Lucie County, I conducted a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) on the vehicle which was successful in disabling the vehicle. The suspect vehicle came to a final rest in the wood line on the east side of US Highway 1 in the approximate 6400 block of US 1 South, Fort Pierce.

A high-risk vehicle stop was conducted where the driver, later identified as Melissa Defrancesco, and the front seat passenger, later identified as Adam Mulr, were taken into custody.

Post Miranda, Defrancesco admitted to knowing that law enforcement was behind her and attempting to stop her; however, she didn’t know why she was being stopped so she continued driving. Defrancesco stated that she planned on driving to the nearest police station and stopping. Defrancesco admitted to seeing the agency vehicles, seeing the emergency lights, and hearing the sirens.

Defrancesco was arrested and transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. Defrancesco was later transported to the Saint Lucie County Jail for booking.

CASE STATUS: Closed - ADJUDICATED GUILTY

✅ This video was obtained through Public Records Requests.