Palm Coast, FL - A suspect is on the run following a chase that involved both Volusia and Flagler deputies.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says that dispatchers received an assist agency call from the Volusia Sheriff's Office just before 11:30 last night (March 5th). The Volusia deputies said that they were following behind a white Jeep that had fled from them.
They advised that the front left tire was deflated because of stop sticks and the vehicle was driving northbound on I-95 near mile marker 270.
Flagler County units found the Jeep near mile marker 283, just a mile south of State Road 100, and tried to pull over the vehicle. After they activated their lights and sirens, the Jeep began to make erratic lane changes.
Since the roads were wet, deputies could not use stop sticks. Instead, they decided to attempt a rolling roadblock. The roadblock was initiated and the Jeep began to slow down. But, an opening was made near the exit for Palm Coast Parkway exit and the Jeep left the interstate.
Once they were off the highway, the Jeep began to drive on the sidewalk, eastbound down the parkway. After units backed off and followed at a safe distance, deputies lost sight with the vehicle as it traveled over the Hammock Dunes Bridge. The Jeep was later found at Jungle Hut Park, unoccupied.
A K-9 unit arrived to help look for the suspects, but no one was found. FCSO also attempted to call for air support, but the weather was too rough for a helicopter.
A security guard in the area told law enforcement that they observed a black male and two females enter a white Chevrolet car, bearing Florida tag EVN U75. Units were not able to locate the vehicle. Flagler also reports that a "Be On The Lookout" alert – also known as a BOLO – was forwarded to St. Johns County, who advised they would not get involved.
Once the Jeep was secured, deputies saw what appeared to be narcotics and money in different denominations within the vehicle. The Jeep was also locked so an inventory was not able to be conducted.
Deputies contacted the car rental company AVIS who advised that the Jeep belonged to them. An employee with AVIS advised that the vehicle was rented from the Daytona Beach location off of Mason Avenue on Wednesday (March 4th) and was due back on Tuesday (March 10th).
If anyone has information regarding the case, they're urged to contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.
