Teenager arrested for possessing firearms after stealing golf cart

A 16-year-old Key Largo boy was arrested Tuesday after stealing a golf cart from a hotel and later found to be in possession of two loaded handguns.

Cody William Kennedy was charged with two counts of underage possession of a firearm, two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a license, grant theft, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.

The Sheriff’s Office was called to the Holiday Inn®, 99701 Overseas Highway, about 3 a.m. Monday regarding a stolen Club Car® golf cart valued at $2,000. Shortly thereafter, a towing  business called to report a golf cart in the woods near their business on the 100800 block of the Overseas Highway. The person at the towing business stated they reported seeing a skinny male in a yellow “hoodie” quickly leave the scene on a bicycle. That information was relayed to other Deputies.

Sgt. James Hager recalled seeing a male in a yellow hoodie earlier in his shift. Sgt. Hager found a person in a yellow hoodie at the Speedway® gas station who he identified as Kennedy. Sgt. Hager observed Kennedy to be nervous. Kennedy repeatedly failed to follow Sgt. Hager’s orders to keep his hands out of his pockets. Kennedy then fled on foot. Sgt. Hager was able to deploy a Taser® and take Kennedy into custody. Sgt. Hager asked Kennedy why he ran. Kennedy replied he was scared given he had two firearms in his possession.

Sgt. Hager found a loaded Smith & Wesson® 9mm pistol with one round in the chamber and a full magazine in Kennedy’s front pocket. In Kennedy’s other front pocket, a loaded .22-caliber revolver was found. A marijuana vape pen was also found in Kennedy’s possession.

Paramedics took Kennedy to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier to be evaluated after he was shocked by the Taser®. Kennedy was not critically injured in the incident. Both Kennedy’s parents were notified and both arrived at the hospital. Kennedy’s father was found to be the rightful owner of the two handguns. Both handguns are currently in possession of the Sheriff’s Office as they are evidence in a criminal matter.

Kennedy was left in the custody of his parents at the hospital. Kennedy was released from the hospital later Monday. Warrants were filed for his arrest.

Kennedy was arrested Tuesday afternoon. He was in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice as of Tuesday afternoon.

This marks the second time since June of this year that Kennedy has been arrested for illegal firearm possession.

“Obviously, I am very concerned about this young man and any others out there in this community who may believe it’s appropriate to illegally possess firearms,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “Such behavior will never be tolerated on my watch as I and my staff will continue to aggressively investigate and arrest anyone in such cases, regardless of age.”

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