- October 27, 2024
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by: Melissa Morreale
Flagler County Sheriff's Office
Three boys ages 12 to 14 were arrested on Saturday, May 8, after the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls about a vehicle driving recklessly throughout Seminole Woods. The vehicle was later determined to be stolen from the city of Bunnell.
“This is another great example of residents taking the guardianship of their neighborhoods seriously and working with the Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “These residents saw something suspicious, called our deputies and we were there to make arrests and quickly recover a stolen vehicle. The age of these offenders is shocking. They need discipline at home by their parents, who should be the sheriff at home and know where their kids are and what they are doing. I hope this is a wake-up call to these kids, and they learn from this experience that it is not OK to steal other people’s property.”
Several reports were made to Flagler County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Center by residents of the S section in Palm Coast, stating a gold Ford SUV was driving recklessly in the neighborhood at a high rate of speed through front lawns. The vehicle was occupied by four males that appeared to be juveniles.
Deputies arrived at the last reported location of the vehicle on Seattle Trail and observed four juveniles crossing Sea Trail and running into backyards on Sea Gull Place on foot. The juveniles observed an FCSO patrol vehicle with lights on and continued to flee behind residences toward wood lines.
While FCSO was setting-up a perimeter to locate the juveniles, the stolen vehicle was found abandoned at 8 Seaton Valley Path. Video surveillance was viewed and deputies observed the juveniles fleeing from law enforcement while being ordered to stop on Seathorn Path. At this time, one juvenile stopped and was detained. The two other juveniles attempted to run from deputies. Verbal commands were given and both males returned to the front of the residence and walked back to the deputy’s vehicle.
The juveniles were asked why they were running, and they said they were coming from the park. Deputies advised them that providing false information and names could lead to additional charges and provided their names but stated they did not know where they lived or their parent’s information. While obtaining their information, one juvenile provided a false name to law enforcement.
When questioned about the incident, the juveniles stated they were occupying the vehicle that was reported for reckless driving, and that they abandoned the vehicle and ran because there were multiple vehicles following them and they did not want to get in trouble.
While FCSO deputies were still on scene with the juveniles, the Bunnell Police Department responded to 310 S. Forsythe St. in Bunnell to make contact with the registered owner of the vehicle. They made contact with the victim who stated she returned home from shopping and left her keys inside of the vehicle. Further investigation uncovered multiple home surveillance videos of the juveniles running from police.
All three juveniles were placed under arrest with felony charges and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Facility. The fourth juvenile was not apprehended and the investigation is continuing.
Bunnell Police Department officers responded to the homes of the juveniles to notify their parents of their arrests. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice was notified of each of their charges and ordered them released to their parents pending their court dates.
