Two more juveniles charged in dragging case

The number of people charged in connection with the Feb. 7 vehicle dragging in Lake Placid has now grown to seven.

On Thursday, Nathaniel Soto, 16, was arrested on a warrant charging him with attempted felony murder for allegedly kicking victim David Caudill, 31, after being freed from a pickup truck driven by Christopher Sullivan, 20, according to Lake Placid Police Lt. James Fansler.

A second arrest warrant has been issued for Miguel Luis Cardenas, 17, that charges him with the same count. He is currently listed as missing and is also wanted on a non-related felony charge, Fansler said.

Cardenas allegedly hit Caudill several times with a pipe, according to Fansler.

On Feb. 12, three other juveniles - Alberto Arceo, 17, Edward Luis Noland, 16, and Shayna Michelle Souza, 15, were served warrants charging them with attempted murder for reportedly kicking Caudill and hitting him with a golf club and a brick.

A third juvenile 17 years old was charged with throwing deadly missiles at Sullivan's truck rather than fleeing the scene.

Sullivan has also been charged with two counts of attempted vehicular homicide, three counts of attempted aggravated battery and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury.

He reportedly tried to hit three juveniles several times with his truck after one of them reached into the window and grabbed a candy bar.

In retaliation, the teens threw bricks at Sullivan's truck as he drove away, according to police.

Sullivan returned a short time later with Caudill for revenge. The victim started fighting with another man, Larry Hendrix, 19.

The situation escalated when, according to witnesses, Sullivan hit both Hendrix and Caudill with his truck and dragged them 370 feet down East Royal Palm Avenue, police said.

Both men were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries. Hospital representatives said Friday that Caudill has been discharged and Hendrix was listed in good condition.