A teen in Brooksville is facing multiple charges after a failed attempt to evade law enforcement on Wednesday. According to a report by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, deputies encountered a vehicle parked illegally at Hill 'N Dale Park outside operating hours and approached to investigate.

When deputies approached, the driver, identified as 17-year-old Jayden Cochrane, attempted to quickly drive away from the scene. His escape was brief, as Cochrane's vehicle crashed into a raised curb around 20 feet ahead, immobilizing the car. As law enforcement closed in, Cochrane and an unidentified passenger initially failed to comply with commands. It was then that deputies spotted a firearm within reach of the driver’s seat. While Cochrane was arrested at the scene, the passenger managed to slip away on foot and evade capture.

The search of the vehicle turned up more than evidence of stolen property. Law enforcement discovered what is believed to be a fully automatic switch handgun, along with marijuana and 32.5 grams of THC concentrate. The firearm had been reported stolen in Pasco County in November 2024. The findings led to Cochrane being charged with a range of offenses, notably including possession of a machine gun, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of stolen firearms and controlled substances.

Post-arrest, Cochrane was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center and subsequently transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Ocala. The seriousness of the charges reflects both the threat posed by firearms in the hands of youth and the ongoing challenges law enforcement confronts in curbing illegal drug possession.