Bunnell, FL - Flagler County deputies take down an attempted kidnapping suspect with help from the US Marshals Service and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says that they received a "Be On The Lookout" alert – aka a BOLO alert – for 39-year-old Carl Oxendine, who was wanted for kidnapping a female from Putnam County.
Putnam's investigators told FCSO that they had begun searching for the victim on Sunday (March 15th). The investigation and seach for Oxendine was launched after a witness observed a woman beaten and then forced into a black vehicle in Palatka. The victim’s purse was found at the scene and there was blood inside of her car.
Yesterday (March 16th), the suspect vehicle – a Nissan Altima – was spotted by a US Marshal task force as it entered Flagler County via State Road 100. Oxendine was seen in the vehicle as the driver, with the victim in the passenger seat. After the task force lost sight of Oxendine's vehicle, the Marshals notified FCSO.
One deputy later spotted the vehicle on County Road 13. He attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, but it fled at a high rate of speed away from him and turned onto County Road 205 from County Road 13.
As Oxendine continued to flee, multiple bystander vehicles had to swerve out of the way to avoid being struck. One bystander vehicle had to move off the roadway and became partially stuck in a ditch. The driver was able to safely remove his vehicle.
Eventually, Oxendine changed direction and began to head west on 100 where deputies were able to deploy stop sticks, causing his rear tires to go flat. Putnam Sheriff's detectives who joined FCSO in the chase were able to utilize a PIT maneuver, which successfully stopped Oxendine, leading to his arrest.
The victim was secured safely by law enforcement before they were transported to AdventHealth with minor injuries. Oxendine was transported to Flagler County Jail, charged with Fleeing with Disregard for Safety, Habitual Traffic Offender and two felony warrants from Putnam County for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
