Man who once escaped police by jumping into canal now accused of armed burglaries across Coral Springs
Coral Springs, Florida – A young man accused of stealing guns and rummaging through unlocked cars in Coral Springs is no stranger to law enforcement—and once escaped police by leaping into a canal to evade arrest.
Ross Stephens, 20, of Coconut Creek, is now facing a slew of charges tied to a series of crimes that spanned several weeks, with investigators linking him to multiple vehicle burglaries, firearm thefts, and fraudulent credit card use. But this wasn’t his first run-in with police.
The first major incident unfolded on April 22, 2024. Officers were responding to a vehicle burglary on Northwest 118th Avenue when they spotted Stephens near the scene. According to authorities, as police moved in, Stephens bolted. He sprinted away from officers and jumped into a nearby canal in an attempt to escape. Though he managed to slip away that day, his freedom was short-lived.
Police later reviewed surveillance footage from the neighborhood. The video captured a man riding an electric bike with a distinctive round headlight. His clothing, along with the bike, matched what Stephens had been seen with earlier. It was enough to link him to that burglary—and soon, to others.
Over the following weeks, Stephens was caught on home security cameras throughout Coral Springs. In the videos, he was seen tugging on car door handles and slipping into vehicles that had been left unlocked. He always appeared to be using the same electric bicycle, which helped police connect the dots.
In one particularly serious case, authorities say Stephens opened a Chevrolet pickup truck, took a wallet, and grabbed a loaded handgun. The arrest report stated that he then used the stolen debit cards via a CashApp account registered in his own name. Police confirmed his identity through fingerprint evidence and more surveillance footage.
The investigation culminated in Stephens’ arrest on June 13 following a traffic stop. According to officers, they obtained consent to search the bedroom he shared with his girlfriend. What they found raised even more concerns: two stolen firearms hidden under a dresser, a loaded magazine, loose ammunition, and several purses suspected of being stolen.
During questioning, Stephens admitted to several burglaries and acknowledged using stolen credit and debit cards. He also told officers he had been struggling with addiction. “He disclosed an addiction to alcohol and Xanax, which he said influenced his criminal behavior,” the report noted.
Now, Stephens is facing a long list of charges, including armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm, fraudulent use of a credit card, criminal use of personal identification, and petit theft.
What began with an underwater escape from the law has ended with a detailed investigation, numerous criminal charges, and a clearer picture of a troubling pattern of behavior. As authorities continue to comb through evidence, the case stands as a stark reminder of how a single lapse in locking a car door can lead to significant losses—and how persistent police work can eventually bring suspects to justice.
