Crime Spree By Kentucky Teen Couple Ends In Florida

A female minor and an adult who were considered a couple from Kentucky went on a multiple state crime spree to fuel their relationship.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 18, 2015

Panama City Beach, Florida - On Sunday, the Panama City Beach Police Department confirmed that both Dalton Hayes, 18, and his girlfriend, Cheyenne Phillips, 13, were arrested around 12:10 a.m. and a silver Toyota Tundra truck with fireman license plates stolen from Henry County in Georgia was recovered. The couple were wanted in their home state of Kentucky for a crime spree that resulted in vehicle thefts, passing stolen checks and taking a .45 Cal. and a .38 Cal. handguns that were in a back seat of the Tundra Toyota truck, according to police.

Both are facing multiple charges for stealing vehicles in two states and taking them across state lines that included Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Both suspects were arrested in Panama City Beach in Florida after the U.S. Marshals Service notified police that the couple were in their area. They were booked at the Bay County Jail and are awaiting extradition to Kentucky to face multiple felony charges for car thefts and passing stolen checks. Phillips was turned over to the Florida Department of Children and families until she is extradited to Kentucky. 

Hayes is also facing a charge for interfering with parential custody for transporting Phillips out of state and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Hayes was on bond for a burglary charge in Grayson County in Kentucky before the multi-state crime spree began, according to the Grayson County Sheriff's Office.

Grayson County Sheriff Norman Chaffins over the weekend criticized some media outlets for their misinformation and for referring to both fugitives as "modern day Bonnie and Clyde." Sheriff Chaffins stated, "At NO time during my interviews with ANY media outlet have I EVER referred to them as "modern day Bonnie and Clyde". That is a label placed solely by the media. I have spoken to the contrary about that by stating they have committed no violent crimes or physically harmed anyone. Many outlets will not report that because it is more sensational and entertaining by labeling them. HOWEVER, We have not changed our stance that they are a danger to themselves, other citizens, and the police as long as they are on the run."