- October 10, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office worked with the U.S. Marshals Service to capture a Flagler Beach fugitive who had been on the run for two weeks.
Law enforcement officers caught and arrested Michael Benkert, 31, on Sept. 25 at a Circle K near Pine Grove Drive and Belle Terre Parkway, according to a FCSO press release. He has been charged with several crimes, including armed trespassing, in connection with an incident on Sept. 7 in Flagler Beach.
On Sept. 7, the Flagler Beach Police Department received a call about a suspicious person armed with a firearm in the 600 block of South Daytona Avenue in Flagler Beach, and Benkert was identified as the suspect. He fled from FCSO deputies during the Sept. 7 incident and evaded capture despite several FCSO divisions working together to search for Benkert, the press release said.
On Sept. 25, the FCSO Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit and U.S. Marhsals Service located him at the Circle K with his twin brother, Anthony.
The twin admitted to knowing Benkert was on the run from deputies and said the two of them had been hiding out at a vacation rental on Pittson Lane that belonged to a company Anthony Benkert used to work at, the press release said.
Anthony Benkert was arrested as well and charged with burglary, accessory after the fact, driving with a suspended license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
