Off-Duty FCSO Deputy Spots Wanted Felon At Department Store

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Palm Coast, FL - The sharp eyes of an off-duty Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputy results in the arrest of not one, but two men who have lengthy records with the FCSO. Twenty-seven-year-old William Medders, is wanted for Violation of Probation for Burglary of a Structure and Petit Theft. The man waiting for him in a car outside, 37-year-old Matthew Croswell, did not have any outstanding warrants, but was arrested after deputies located him. He told them he had nothing illegal in his car but deputies spotted a glass bong, commonly used to smoke marijuana, in the backseat of the car and a syringe cap on the passenger seat.

Deputy Austin Chewning observed Medders shopping yesterday (July 1) at the Ross department store in Palm Coast. He recognized him from outstanding warrants and notified FCSO dispatch and gave updates on Medders location in real-time.

Deputies arrived on scene and detained Medders. While searching him, deputies located a small, red bag in his coat pocket that contained methamphetamine and a syringe. When questioned, he told them that he was driven to
the store by his friend, later identified as Croswell, and that he was waiting outside the store in a silver sedan.

When located, Croswell told deputies that all he did was give Medders a ride. Because of the items in plain view in the car, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. The search found a syringe loaded with methamphetamine as well as a metal spoon with methamphetamine residue and Croswell was detained.

Medders has been arrested 20 times since 2013. He's being held on his two Flagler County warrants and additionally charged with Methamphetamine Possession and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is held on no bond. Croswell has been arrested eight times since 2007. He's charged with Methamphetamine Possession and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and is being held on a $3000 bond.

Flagler County Sheriff's Office