BUNNELL, Fla. - A resident of Okeechobee was arrested in Bunnell on Wednesday for allegedly stealing a trailer from a business in Bunnell. 34-year-old Patrick Abel, a convicted felon in other jurisdictions, is accused of making his latest hit on Steel Rail Drive.
The Bunnell Police Department received a call from the business owner on December 27th, who said his trailer was stolen at some point overnight. Surveillance video revealed it had been hooked up to a red Chevrolet pickup truck around 3:30 am.
The BPD contacted the Flagler County Sheriff's Office's Real Time Crime Center to investigate the identity of the pickup truck, and were eventually able to produce a license plate number. Detectives tracked the truck to a location in Palm Coast's B Section, where Abel has reportedly been staying with his girlfriend. He was later interviewed by BPD Detective Shane Groth.
In a statement given to Groth, Abel said he was in Lake City with his truck when the theft occurred. He was reportedly confronted with evidence that went against his story, but he held firm. Upon being told he was shown on surveillance video taking the trailer away, Abel is said to have admitted to taking it back to Okeechobee and selling it. He reportedly agreed to help police track down the current whereabouts of the trailer, valued at $2,000.
Abel was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia, and he has further charges pending at the place of the sale. The BPD says there's no indication the buyer knew it was stolen. A search warrant on his truck reportedly also produced a license plate that was reported stolen in Volusia County. Prior charges of Abel's include several counts of grand theft in other jurisdictions, and cocaine and other drug possession in Flagler County.
“After the recent launch of a full-time detective unit, I appreciate the tenacity shown in this case to bring a swift resolution for the victim and to hold this prolific thief to account," said Bunnell Police Chief Dave Brannon. "Also, we appreciate the assistance from our law enforcement partners, especially the Flagler County and the Okeechobee County sheriff’s offices. Their support helped us make this case and prevented Abel from victimizing others in our community.”
