- March 6, 2025
At 10:53 p.m. Wednesday, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a pursuit on Interstateâ€95 north in the vicinity of LPGA Boulevard that may enter Flagler County. Flagler authorities were advised that the pursuit originated in the Orlando area and involved a silver BMW with two occupants.
Shortly after, the silver BMW was observed northbound on U.S. 1 at the south county line by a Bunnell police officer. The BMW continued north on U.S. 1 at speeds up to 100 mph. Deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office joined in on the pursuit on U.S. 1.
Deputies deployed stop sticks at three locations on U.S. 1 that resulted in three of the tires on the BMW being deflated. The BMW continued north on U.S. 1 riding on its three rims and entered a construction zone in the vicinity of Matanzas Woods Parkway. The BMW navigated through the construction zone, nearly colliding with a construction vehicle and its operator and continued north on U.S. 1 into St. Johns County, where deputies from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit.
Around the 7600 block of U.S. 1, Flagler County deputies initiated a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver on the BMW, causing the vehicle to spin into a ditch and slowly roll onto its roof.
The BMW was estimated to be traveling at less than 30 mph when the PIT maneuver was initiated.
The two occupants of the vehicle, a male driver and female passenger, were removed from the vehicle and secured.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded and conducted a crash investigation.
The driver of the vehicle, Thomas J. Loncala, 47, of Orlando, was arrested. He was charged by Flagler County deputies with aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and trafficking in methamphetamine with a firearm.
Deputies seized $3,396, a .25-caliber Raven semiautomatic handgun, 5 ounces of crystal methamphetamine and 5.8 grams of cannabis, all from inside the vehicle.
Loncala was taken to Flagler Hospital, in St Augustine, for treatment of shoulder pain. Once released from the hospital, Loncala will be transported to the St. Johns jail and await arraignment on Flagler County charges.
No charges were filed on the female passenger, who was released at the scene.
