- October 24, 2024
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A 49-year-old Bunnell felon stole a car that had been left running outside a Palm Coast Pizza Hut on March 23, then went on a joy ride to Volusia County, according to deputies.
Deputies later found that he'd also snuck into the garage of a stranger's home — while the owners were in the house — the same day after lounging in a hammock in their yard.
Flagler and Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputies who caught him in a high risk traffic stop later found that he'd also snuck into the garage of a stranger's home — while the owners were in the house — the same day after lounging in a hammock in their yard.
Deputies had responded to the Pizza Hut on State Road 100 at 8:46 p.m. on March 23 after a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim had left the car running in front of the pizza shop, and came back outside to find that it was missing.
A witness told deputies that a white male in his forties had been pacing in front of the store. People saw him get into the car and drive away.
Shortly after, deputies found the car near a gas station on U.S.1 in Ormond Beach and conducted a high risk traffic stop.
Suspect Shannon Casto exited the stolen car with the victim’s wallet and a small cooler and was immediately secured without incident.
The next day, deputies responded to a residence in the E Section of Palm Coast after a homeowner noticed one of his lanai doors was partially opened, and reviewed his surveillance camera footage to see that someone — Casto — had entered the house through an open garage door at about 6:30 p.m. on March 23.
The video showed Casto enter the victim’s property from the street, then lie in his hammock for 12 minutes as the homeowner arrived home.
Before leaving the property, Casto entered the garage while the homeowners were inside.
“Here is a career felon who continues to steal cars and belongings of others and winds up back in jail each time,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “It’s also a reminder to never leave your keys in your car. Our deputies did a great job quickly recovering the stolen car and solving the burglary case. We appreciate VCSO assisting and it’s another reminder to criminals that law enforcement works together to arrest you. These might be property crimes, but he’s had enough chances. Now, the criminal justice system needs to keeps him locked up for a long time!”
Casto is on probation in Flagler County for his 2021 arrest for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Driving While License Suspended and Use/Possession of Another Person’s ID without Consent.
His criminal history dates back to 2004 in Ohio for Receiving Stolen Property, Assault, Ill Convey of Weapons, Robbery, Domestic Violence and Possession of Heroin. He’s also been charged in Georgia for Removing a Plate with Intent to Conceal, Driving Without a License, No Proof of Insurance and Possession of a Weapon by Convicted Felon.
Casto is being held at the Volusia Branch Jail on no bond.
He’s facing charges for Violation of Probation, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Petit Theft, Burglary of an Occupied Structure, Loitering or Prowling and Trespassing.
