DeLand, FL - An undercover officer drives off after a sting, believing that one of his monitoring devices gave him away.
Yesterday (March 26th), Volusia County Sheriff's Office conducted an undercover narcotics purchase that led to the arrest of 20-year-old Mark Knox.
According to the report, an undercover detective was sitting at the intersection of South Clara Avenue and Carroll Avenue, when they were approached by Knox.
The detective inquired about narcotics with Knox, who entered the backseat of the vehicle without permission.
Originally, the detective asked Knox about "D's" or
Knox then gave the detective four small chunks of crack cocaine in exchange for two $20 bills.
After the exchange, Knox left the vehicle.
However, as Knox opened the door, a hidden camera that was placed in the rear driver's side window came loose and was hanging down from the vehicle.
Knox ripped the device off of the vehicle and asked what it was. The detective then drove off, fearing that he had been identified as law enforcement
Later on, an arrest team responded to the area where the transaction took place and where they found Knox.
When deputies found Knox, he took off on foot but was soon taken down and arrested.
After a search, deputies found 1.5 grams of crack cocaine and the two $20 bills that Knox was given by the undercover detective.
VCSO also found the device that Knox had found in the vehicle. It had been damaged and was no longer operational.
Knox was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, sale and delivery of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park, grand theft of law enforcement equipment and destruction of evidence.
Jail records show he's currently in custody at Volusia County Jail where he's being held on $71,000 bond.
