A man’s impulsive decision to steal a vehicle on Christmas Eve led to an eventful night that ended in his arrest. Kevin Campana, a 31-year-old resident of Edgewater with a history of legal troubles, embarked on a brief yet dramatic journey involving a stolen car, a police chase, and ultimately, incarceration. The incident began when Campana was captured on camera walking into a car repair shop barefoot, where he managed to gain access to a vehicle key and drive away in a black Nissan Versa. After a high-speed chase through various roads, the pursuit culminated in the vehicle flipping into a ditch, leading to Campana's capture.
The police responded swiftly, using stop sticks and PIT maneuvers in their efforts to apprehend Campana. Despite these attempts, the chase continued until the inevitable crash. Campana acknowledged his actions and faced multiple charges, including grand theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, fleeing police, and driving with a revoked license. This incident has once again highlighted Campana's recurring run-ins with the law, dating back to 2011, and his most recent arrest just days prior for similar offenses.
The Barefoot Burglar's Bold Move
On the evening of December 23rd, a peculiar sequence of events unfolded in Edgewater, Florida. Kevin Campana, known for his lengthy criminal record, took an unusual approach by entering a wholesale auto parts lot barefoot. His target was a black Nissan Versa parked on the premises. Surveillance footage captured Campana prying open a lock box, retrieving a set of keys, and driving off in the vehicle. This audacious act marked the beginning of a chaotic night that would end with his arrest.
Campana's decision to take the car without authorization quickly caught the attention of local authorities. Within hours, the Edgewater Police Department had launched a search operation. The chase that ensued was nothing short of intense, as Campana navigated through narrow dirt roads and residential areas, evading officers at every turn. Despite the deputies’ efforts to deploy stop sticks and attempt PIT maneuvers, Campana managed to evade capture temporarily. However, his luck ran out when he attempted to maneuver around an officer and lost control, crashing into a ditch and flipping the vehicle. Upon being apprehended, Campana admitted to knowing the car wasn’t his and accepted the consequences of his actions.
A History of Recurring Legal Troubles
Kevin Campana’s latest escapade is far from an isolated incident. Court records reveal a pattern of criminal behavior stretching back over a decade. Since 2011, Campana has been involved in numerous arrests, each adding to his growing list of convictions. Most recently, he was arrested on December 18th for attempting to break into vehicles at a dealership in New Smyrna Beach. Charged with burglary, loitering, and possession of burglary tools, Campana denied these accusations but was still held accountable. This string of incidents underscores a troubling trend of repeated offenses and disregard for the law.
Campana’s criminal history includes convictions for grand theft of a motor vehicle in 2023 and felony petit theft for stealing dog food from a porch. In both cases, his previous convictions escalated the severity of the charges. The latest Christmas Eve incident adds another layer to this pattern, emphasizing the need for intervention and rehabilitation. Law enforcement officials have expressed their determination to maintain public safety, as evidenced by the Edgewater Police Department's lighthearted yet stern holiday message warning potential offenders. Campana now faces significant legal challenges, with no bond set for his earlier charges, signaling a potentially long stay in custody.