Palm Coast, FL - The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says three car thieves are sitting in the Flagler County Jail after deputies arrested them over the weekend. They are 36-year-old Teresa Clawson, 35-year-old Jacob Ragsdale, and 48-year-old Charles Brockhaus.
On Friday evening, FCSO deputies spotted a stolen vehicle backed into a parking spot at a Race Trac gas station on S.R. 100. Deputies talked to the driver, identified as Clawson, who told them she had just purchased the vehicle in Jacksonville. She had no supporting documents or even a valid driver's license. She was searched and deputies found two oval pills in her pocket that tested positive for Fentanyl. She also had hidden pre-package baggies of marijuana in her pants along with counterfeit currency. To make matters even worse, FCSO says there was a 6-year-old child in the car with her. That child is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. Clawson is charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Marijuana, Driving with a Suspended License, and Petit Theft. Clawson is being held on a bond of $5,500. She's also a fugitive from Osceola County for Grand Theft.
On Sunday afternoon, it was Jacob Ragsdale's turn. FCSO was alerted to a stolen vehicle by the Lakeland Police Department. That vehicle was also in a gas station, a Mobil on S.R. 100. Deputies asked Ragsdale to step out of the vehicle. They found his license has been suspended since May 5, 2010. He was arrested for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Driving with a Suspended License. Ragsdale is a wanted fugitive from South Carolina for a probation-parole violation for Grand Theft. He is being held with no bond.
On Sunday evening, Charles Brockhaus was found in a stolen vehicle at Victoria Plaza on Belle Terre Parkway. His story was that he had leased the vehicle and allowed deputies to review the messages in his phone that he claimed proved the lease agreement. Deputies were unable to find a lease agreement but did find messages about narcotics sales and usage. Brockhaus was arrested for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Driving with a Suspended License. A counterfeit $50 bill was located when deputies searched him prior to arrest. Brockhaus is
on felony probation for Grand Theft and is also charged with Violating Felony Probation. He is being held on no bond.
“Hey criminals – in case you haven’t heard, crime stops in Flagler County,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I was on scene for two of these apprehensions [Friday night and Sunday afternoon] and able to observe the results of this technology and good police work firsthand. Our team did a great job in taking these offenders into custody before they could commit crimes in Flagler County while maintaining the safety of the other drivers on our roadways.”
