Thursday March 9th, 2023 FCSO was alerted to a stolen Jacksonville vehicle that was currently driving in Flagler County. The vehicle was a 2002 white Chevy Silverado, and deputies attempted a traffic stop while the vehicle was on I-95, however the vehicle fled at a high speed.
The vehicle exited I-95 onto Matanzas Woods Parkway and continued West. PACE Detective Dalrymple used his Stop Sticks on the vehicle near US-1. The vehicle continued south on US-1, even with a deflating tire, to the area of Hargrove Grade, where it crashed and then caught on fire. The occupants fled on foot after this into the woods. Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Fireflight assisted in the search with patrol deputies and K-9 Deputy First Class Dawson and K-9 Baro.
Flagler County Fire Rescue and Palm Coast Fire Department were able to put the fire out, however the occupants left two dogs in the vehicle when they fled and one of the dogs did not survive the fire.
K-9 Baro apprehended the male suspect around 1:33pm; the male suspect attempted to attack the K-9, but K-9 Baro successfully held on to the suspect. The female suspect was later found by Corporal cavas and K-9 Holmes around 1;59 pm. She was hiding in the woods near US-1.
The male suspect gave deputies the name of Leonard Stephenson and was arrested and charged with Grand Theft – Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Fleeing with Injury or Damage, Touch or Strike Police Animal Causing Harm, Resisting an Officer Without Violence, Criminal Mischief (Over $1,000), and Animal Cruelty Causing Cruel Death, Pain , Suffering. It was determined later that the original name was a false name and the male suspects real name is Emmitt Loges and he is a fugitive from various states and several jurisdictions. More charges are pending regarding the false name and the other warrants.
The female suspect was identified as Sarah Brooks from West Virginia and was arrested and charged with Animal Cruelty Causing Cruel Death, Pain Suffering, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence. She is being held on a $22,000 bond.
Three deputies experienced multiple hornet stings while searching for the suspects. Chief Welker received over 20 stings, and was treated and released from the hospital.
Hours later, FCSO was alerted to another stolen vehicle, a 2019 gray Volkswagen Tiquan, from Volusia County. Deputies attempted traffic stops, and Stop Sticks, but the suspects evaded all attempts to stop the vehicle and fled at high speeds. Deputies did not pursue.
The vehicle was later found crashed and unoccupied in the area of Pritchard Drive and Presidential Lane. Deputies were able to hear the suspects fleeing on foot in the woods, and Deputy Beausoleil deployed K-9 Axel, who was able to cause the surrender of one suspect, and apprehended the other suspect who did not comply.
16 year old Andre Jamar was arrested for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Grand Theft – Motor Vehicle, Crash Damage to Vehicle or Property, Resisting Arrest Without Violence, and No FL Driver’s License.
14 year old Elijah Levi Norris was arrested and charged wuith Grand Theft – Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. Both suspects were taken to the county jail and then transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. the DJJ ordered 14 year old Norris released to a parent.
“These four criminals thought they could evade our deputies and K-9 Unit and not get caught,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “As we have proven over and over in the last few days: if you run from FCSO, you will go to the Green Roof Inn tired and in this case dog-bitten too. I commend our team for their hard work in apprehending these felons and thank Fireflight for their assistance. Fortunately, the deputies injured from multiple stings did not have a serious reaction and will make full recoveries. I commend them for not giving up and still pursuing these dirtbags despite being stung repeatedly during the chase.”
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