- September 7, 2024
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Two males, an adult and a juvenile, were arrested on Friday, Sept. 28, after leading deputies on a manhunt earlier that morning, according to a news release by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies reported to 17 Burning Bush Drive in Palm Coast after receiving a report of a car burglary. Patrol deputies observed a "suspicious vehicle" in the area that was reported as a stolen vehicle from St. Johns County. A laptop, which had been taken during an undiscovered auto burglary, was found during a search of the vehicle.
The FCSO's 911 center received calls by residents reporting two males walking up to cars and knocking on back doors and windows in enclosed backyards. One caller was fearful the suspects were attempting to break into her home, according to the release. In addition, a deputy was driving to work and saw the two suspects near Bayside.
A perimeter was established and Fireflight, patrol deputies and K-9 searched the area.
Residents continued to call in and report subjects walking in the neighborhood and running through yards. A perimeter was again established in the area with Fireflight and a K-9 tracking the suspects. The K-9 team forced the suspects out of a wooded area into the hands of deputies.
Deputies arrested 18-year-old Leo Rollins and a 17-year-old male, who had been arrested for similar crimes 10 days prior. Rollins was also arrested on multiple felonies.
“This juvenile recently told us he wanted to turn his life around, and here we are again for the same crimes," Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release. “This is another example of the broken juvenile system of ‘catch and release.’ We need a stronger state system to deal with juvenile criminals so they don’t end up as a criminal offender for life.”
The juvenile was charged with grand theft auto and principal to commit burglary of a conveyance, among other charges. He was arrested and processed at the Division of Youth Services.
Rollins was charged with grand theft auto, residential burglary, burglary of a conveyance (auto), principal to commit burglary of a conveyance (auto) and resisting arrest without violence. He was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and held on no bond.