- February 3, 2025
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A 28-year-old Port Orange man was among three arrested March 13 after police found a DeLand firefighter’s belongings in the stolen vehicle they were driving.
In a traffic stop at 5:20 a.m. on Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange Police Officer Crysta McBride observed a pile of suitcases stacked in the backseat. The driver, later identified as Chere Zupan, and the front seat passenger, later identified as James Abbott, were highly nervous, and while Zupan was trying to find her license, Abbott handed over an ID from a blue zipper pouch; then, Abbot snatched the card back and told McBride it was a debit card, according to the report.
McBride reported that she told Abbott she saw it was an ID, but he continued to deny it. Abbott then dug through a black backpack. McBride told him to stop, and he argued back, according to McBride's report.
Zupan, Abbott and a second passenger who was at first hidden by the pile of suitcases in the backseat and was later identified as Jason Anglis, were all asked to step out of the car. A K-9 unit searched the car and found a glass pipe and other drugs, plus a loaded handgun. Police also discovered ID for Sidney Stringer IV.
Volusia County sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and said Stringer's vehicle had been stolen, along with his gun, wallet, medication and other items.
Stringer is a DeLand firefighter, and he said several of his agency-issued clothes were stolen as well. Abbott was wearing a DeLand Fire Rescue shirt and shorts, and Anglis was wearing dark blue fire rescue gear.
Deputies accompanied Stringer to the scene, and he positively identified his items in Abbott’s backpack. Stringer also said one of the credit cards was used twice at Circle K on Nova Road.
Abbott, Zupan and Anglis were all interviewed after hearing their Miranda rights, and they accused each other of lying about whose idea it was to steal the car and the other items.
Anglis agreed to take VCSO deputies to his residence to obtain the remainder of Stringer's stolen belongings and also agreed he would turn over the stolen pants he was wearing. All three were arrested.
