Developing story: This report may be updated as additional information is confirmed. Updates will appear at the bottom of the article.
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Just before 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, a burglary investigation in Deerfield Beach escalated into a fatal incident after a suspect vehicle crashed into a lake, leaving one person dead and another still unaccounted for.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward County Regional Communications received a call reporting a burglary in the 700 block of Deer Creek Emerald Way West. Deputies were dispatched to the Deer Creek community, where investigators later determined multiple individuals were burglarizing unoccupied vehicles.
As deputies arrived in the area, the driver of a suspect vehicle fled, authorities said. During the attempt to escape, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a lake near Lakeside Way and Lakeside Drive.
An adult male inside the vehicle was able to get out of the car and make it to land. Deputies took him into custody at the scene. His identity and any potential charges have not been released.
A deputy who was among the first responders entered the water in an attempt to rescue other occupants believed to be inside the submerged vehicle. The deputy was unable to reach anyone in the water.
Multiple rescue and investigative units were called in as the search expanded. BSO’s Dive Team, Aviation Unit, K-9, and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to the scene to search the lake for additional individuals who may have been inside the vehicle at the time it entered the water.
Authorities said one additional adult male was later recovered from the lake. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
As of Tuesday morning, first responders were continuing to search the water for another individual believed to have been in the suspect vehicle. Officials have not said how many people total were believed to be inside the car when it crashed.
Detectives with BSO’s Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and death. Investigators have not indicated whether the death is being treated as a homicide or if the involvement of the homicide unit is standard protocol due to the fatality.
The area around Lakeside Way and Lakeside Drive remained an active investigation scene for several hours. BSO previously issued a media alert advising that there was no threat to the surrounding community.
A media staging area was established near 3001 Deer Creek Country Club Boulevard as investigators worked the scene and dive operations continued.
No further details about the burglary investigation, the suspects, or the circumstances leading up to the crash have been released. Authorities said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
UPDATE – 1/27/26 – 2:12 PM EST
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit detectives, the body of a second male has been recovered from the waterway. The individual has been pronounced deceased. The investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing.
UPDATE – 1/28/26
The individual arrested in this incident is Pledidson Jeansam Philibert, 3/13/2004. He faces the following charges:
Five counts of burglary of unoccupied conveyance
Three counts of conspire to commit burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
The deceased males have been identified as Weekenley Felix, 2/25/2003, and Ashly Rosier, 8/11/2005
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