Palm Coast, FL - Thanks to a bite from a K-9 officer, a fleeing suspect was taken into custody after a nearly two-and-a-half hour manhunt through the woods of Palm Coast's "Z" section after he abandoned a stolen vehicle and threatened deputies with a knife.
The stolen vehicle was recovered on Zebulahs Trl. on Monday and Sheriff Rick Staly joined deputies, detectives, the K-9 Unit, and Flagler County's Fire Flight helicopter to set up a perimeter around the area. Additionally, Southbound Belle Terre Pkwy. was shut down, Flagler County Schools were notified, and bus drop-offs were temporarily delayed until Matthew Scott Nesbit, 44, was taken into custody.
Shortly after a perimeter was established, Nesbit was spotted jumping a fence and running toward the woods on Zebulahs Trl. He was later found by Deputy Jon Duenas and K-9 Deputy Valor, but he ran away. A short time later and he was apprehended by K-9 Deputy Marko and Corporal Fred Gimbel in a wooded area behind 10 Zelda Court.
“Our deputies did a great job apprehending him quickly to protect the community and school children getting home,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “K-9 Marko took a bite out of crime today so let this be a warning to future dirtbags: if you threaten my deputies, we will come after you in full force and we will get you.”
As of Monday night, Nexbit was being treated for his injuries at Florida Hospital Flagler. When he's medically cleared he'll be booked into the Flagler County Detention Facility without bond on charges of grand theft auto, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest without violence, and fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement. Nesbitt is currently on probation and has an arrest history in several FL counties.
Photos courtesy FCSO.
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