Palm Coast, FL - A traffic stop early this morning (June 3) in Palm Coast results in one narcotics arrest and a search for the passenger, 23-year-old Rahim Booker, who got away. Flagler County Sheriff's deputies stopped a car driven by 19-year-old Ty-Lee Austin just before 2 a.m. at the intersection of Palm Harbor Parkway and Farmsworth Drive.
Deputies approached the vehicle and asked for proof of registration and valid insurance. While Austin was getting his documents, a deputy and K-9 officer arrived on scene to conduct an exterior search. The K-9 alerted on the car. Deputies advised Austin and Booker to exit the vehicle so a probable cause search could be conducted.
Booker got out and searched his own pockets. When deputies instructed him not to, he quickly entered the vehicle, grabbed a small black backpack, intentionally struck a deputy and took off. Booker was pursued and a perimeter set up. A two-hour search ensued with K-9 and helicopter support for two hours before being suspended.
FCSO said that this is not the first time they have arrested Booker. Last time was in August of 2018 when he was charged with two felonies: Possession of Marijuana with intent to sell and Possession of a Hallucinogen.
“This is a poison peddler who has obviously learned nothing from his previous arrest,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “For whatever reason, he thought it was a better idea to fight our deputies and run. Thankfully, no one was
seriously injured last night. If you know where he is, call us at 386-313-4911. We need to get him off the streets and booked into the Green Roof Inn where he belongs.”
A probable cause search of the car found a metal spoon with an unknown yellow/green substance and a glass mason jar containing 8 grams of cannabis. When questioned, Austin told deputies that the substance on the metal spoon was ice cream. When tested, yellow/green substance tested positive for Mephedrone.
Ty-Lee Austin was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana 20 Grams or Less, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Cathinone’s.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Rahim Booker for Failure to Obey a Police Officer, Resisting an Officer with Violence, and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. If you have any information on his whereabouts please call 386-313-4911 or email FCSO.
