A probe by the Boca Raton Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit has resulted in the arrest of four people and the recovery of guns.
On Nov. 5 at about 8 p.m., based on information received from a concerned citizen, unit members were conducting surveillance on James Lee Russell, 32, of Jacksonville, identified by police as a known felon, who was staying at the Plaza Hotel on North Federal Highway.
While watching Russell, detectives saw him cleaning what they believed to be a firearm. Sometime later, detectives saw Russell leave his hotel room carrying several items and get into a Ford F-150 pickup truck accompanied by two males and a female. The female, identified as Alma Westberry, 34, of Live Oak, FL, got into the driver’s seat, Russell got into the front passenger seat and the two males identified as Clinton Thomas, 33, of Delray Beach and Adam Vitale, 32, of Boca Raton, got into the rear passenger seat of the truck.
Police said Westberry drove north on Federal Highway with detectives following. As they approached the Delray Beach city limits, detectives tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Westberry refused to pull over, said the police report.
Delray Beach Police were notified. Westberry drove to Linton and Federal, where Thomas and Vitale got out of the truck and were taken into custody after a short foot chase. Officers from Delray Beach continued to follow the truck until it eventually stopped near the intersection of Whatley Road and Lincoln Road. Westberry, who was now in the passenger seat, was taken into custody. Russell fled from the driver’s seat and was apprehended a short time later, Boca Police said.
Boca Raton detectives saw a Sony Play Station 3 in the passenger compartment of the truck. Detectives also learned that Russell had allegedly stolen several firearms from a bar owner in Live Oak. In addition, jewelry and medications were taken. When detectives searched the truck, they recovered three rifles, a shotgun and several rounds of ammunition, as well as a PlayStation.
Detectives charged Russell with grand theft, violation of probation in addition to several traffic violations. Thomas and Vitale were charged with resisting an officer without violence and Westberry was charged with fleeing and eluding. The investigation is on-going and other charges may be forthcoming, police said.