DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
PRESS RELEASE
On 07/22/2025, DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Corporal Elio Santana was patrolling the area of SE Airport Road around approximately 3:19 a.m. Cpl. Santana observed two vehicles (SUV and truck) parked on the side of the roadway, one of which (SUV) was damaged. Occupants inside the truck were wearing hoodies over their heads with facemasks on. Cpl. Santana immediately turned his vehicle around in an attempt to make contact with the suspicious subjects, but the truck fled. Cpl. Santana pursued and the truck lost control, crashed, and both occupants fled into a wooded area.
A perimeter was established, and Officer Smith with the Arcadia Police Department (APD) assisted DCSO. Around 3:52 a.m., Officer Smith located and detained one of the subjects, identified as Cristian Carmona. The other two subjects, Bryan Ponce and Cristian Dominguez, were later located as well. It was determined both vehicles involved were stolen.
Interviews conducted by Lt. Trujillo and Cpl. Santana determined that juvenile, Bryan Ponce, stole the SUV. He picked up Carmona and Dominguez and they went looking for another vehicle to steal (the truck). Dominguez drove the SUV, which he crashed, and the other two drove the truck, which they used to flee from Cpl. Santana.
Outstanding teamwork between the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and the Arcadia Police Department is what made this successful outcome possible. Sheriff Potter is grateful for the continued partnership with Arcadia Police and their shared commitment to keeping DeSoto County safe.
Bryan Ponce (16), Cristian Dominguez (18), and Cristian Carmona (18), were all arrested for their
involvement and were charged with the following:
Bryan Ponce (SUV and truck driver):
• FELONY – Grand Theft Motor vehicle [2 counts]
• FELONY – Flee or Attempt to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer
• Leaving the scene of crash involving property damage
• Resisting Officer without Violence
• Driving while License suspended
Cristian Dominguez (SUV driver):
• FELONY – Grand Theft Motor vehicle
• Driving while License suspended
• Leaving the scene of crash involving property damage
Cristian Carmona:
• FELONY – Grand Theft Motor vehicle
• Resisting Officer without Violence
