- October 30, 2024
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By: Brittany Kershaw
Public Affairs Manager, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was able to recover three stolen vehicles over the weekend with the use of police work and technology before the offenders could commit crimes in Flagler County.
Deputies located a stolen vehicle the evening of Friday, March 6, backed into a parking spot at the RaceTrac gas station at 5893 State Road 100 East. Deputies made contact with the driver, 36-year-old Teresa Clawson, who stated she legally purchased the vehicle in Jacksonville, although she did not have any supporting documents nor a valid driver’s license. Clawson was searched prior to arrest
and deputies located two oval pills in her pocket that tested positive for Fentanyl. Clawson had also hidden baggies of marijuana in her pants along with counterfeit currency.
Clawson was arrested and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license and petit theft. She remains in the Flagler County Jail on a $5,500 bond. It was also discovered that Clawson was a
fugitive from Osceola County for grand theft.
Clawson had a 6-year-old in the car with her. He was turned over to an FCSO victim’s advocate and then to the Department of Children and Families.
Deputies were alerted to a stolen vehicle from the Lakeland Police Department being driven by a man in his 20s or 30s the afternoon of Sunday, March 8. The vehicle was located at the Mobil gas station at 6020 State Road 100. Deputies asked the driver, 35-year-old Jacob Ragsdale, to exit the vehicle and he complied.
Ragsdale’s license has been suspended since May 5, 2010. He was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license. It was also discovered that Ragsdale was a fugitive wanted in South Carolina for a probation-parole violation for grand theft. He is being held with no bond at the Flagler County Jail.
A few hours later on Sunday night, deputies made contact with the driver of another stolen vehicle in Victoria Plaza at 4848 Belle Terre Parkway. The driver, 48-year-old Charles Brockhaus, told deputies he had leased the vehicle and allowed deputies to review the messages in his phone that he claimed proved the lease agreement. Deputies were unable to find a lease agreement but did view messages related to narcotics sales and usage.
Brockhaus was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license. A counterfeit $50 bill was also located when deputies searched Brockhaus prior to arrest. Brockhaus is on felony probation for grand theft and was also charged with violating felony probation. He is being held with no bond at the Flagler County Jail.
“Hey criminals, in case you haven’t heard, crime stops in Flagler County,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I was on scene for two of these apprehensions [Friday night and Sunday afternoon] and able to observe the results of this technology and good police work firsthand. Our team did a great job in taking these offenders into custody before they could commit crimes in Flagler County while maintaining the safety of the other drivers on our roadways.”
All three vehicles were reported stolen out of other counties. All vehicles were recovered and will be returned to their rightful owners.
