Bunnell, FL - Over the 4th of July holiday weekend, Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) Community Police Division stayed busy, responding to 1,298 calls for service. The calls resulted in a total of 41 arrests, three of them for driving while intoxicated. Deputies conducted 267 traffic stops.
The intra-coastal waterway was patrolled by FCSO Marine units in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to promote boater safety and deter Boating under the Influence (BUI). This resulted in 8 vessel stops and no arrests.
“Our deputies were very busy this weekend ensuring that our residents could celebrate the 4th of July weekend safely,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Three drunk drivers got a free ride to the Green Roof Inn for impaired driving. Thankfully, the majority of our residents and visitors enjoyed a safe holiday and kept their freedom. Our deputies were prepared and vigilant on land and in the water and they did a great job making sure everyone stayed safe.”
Two stolen vehicles were recovered over the weekend, resulting in the arrests of four people.
The first vehicle, reported stolen out of North Carolina, was located by deputies on July 3. They conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle pulling a trailer hauling jet skis where the two people inside did not have their stories straight. The driver, 37-year-old Quintin Wright, explained that he'd only just met his passenger, 23-year-old Tre'vaughn Meyers, and was driving him to Miami in exchange for $500. He said he didn't know how Meyers came into possession of the jet skis or the trailer. When questioned, Meyers told deputies that he'd purchased the two Jet Ski’s and the trailer in North Carolina from a male. When asked for the sellers' contact information, Meyers could not provide any details. They were both arrested and each is charged with two counts of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and one count of Grand Theft. Bond was set at $7,500 for each of them and they have since bonded out.
The second vehicle reported stolen from Lake City, FL, was located in a Palm Coast Walgreens parking lot. A felony traffic stop was initiated and the passenger in the car, 50-year-old Frank Davin, told deputies that he "was permitted by the car owner’s boyfriend, known to him only as “Brad”, to use the car until Friday, July 2, because “Brad” owes him money. When Davin was informed that it was Sunday, July 4, he had no response. The driver, 36-year-old Vincent Hutchinson, was detained in the store. When confirming the two men's identities, it was discovered that Hutchinson had an active warrant for his arrest from Saint Johns’ County for violation of probation. Additionally, a probable cause search found cocaine hidden inside the center console. Both men are charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle with Davin also charged with Cocaine Possession. Hutchinson is held on no bond and Davin is held on a $10,000 bond. Both remain in the Flagler County Jail.
“I’m glad we were able to recover these stolen vehicles for their owners,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “On the Fourth of July we hope that everyone joins together to celebrate being free, but some people would rather forfeit their freedom in exchange for joy rides in stolen cars. Well, these four found out first-hand their joy ride ends as soon as you cross into Flagler County.”
