Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies made 24 arrests last weekend between 6am on June 23rd, 2023, and 6am on June 26th, 2023. Over the weekend, deputies handled 879 calls for service and made 86 traffic stops.
“Burglars and thieves think they can get away with crimes over the weekend, but the joke is on them. The men and women of FCSO are always on high alert, ready to catch them as soon as they step out of line,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Just remember, if you do the crime, our Courtesy Shuttle will gladly take you to the Green Roof Inn.”
FCSO Arrests Two Men for Breaking into a Hotel Room, Stealing Cash from a Guest
On Friday, FCSO deputies responded to the Days Inn on Garden St after a guest reported that someone broke into their hotel room and stole a large amount of money while they were out. That night, the victim said they had ridden their bike to a nearby bar and returned less than hour later to find their hotel room in disarray.
Deputies reviewed hotel surveillance video and observed two men driving up to the hotel and heading directly to the victim’s room. The men were later seen leaving the room while one was covering their face with a towel. The victim was able to identify one of the suspects as Jeremy Phillip Pereira, 32, an acquaintance the victim had just met at the bar.
Using investigative techniques deputies determined the suspect vehicle belonged to Michael Pleasant, 27. Pleasant also matched the second suspect’s description on the surveillance video.
Shortly after, deputies located Pleasant at a residence on Rainstone Lane where he was arrested for Burglary of a Dwelling, Grand Theft, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Pleasant was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility (SPHIDF) and is being held on $10,500 bond.
The next day, Pereira was located driving on Palm Harbor Pkwy. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and Pereira was also arrested for Burglary of a Dwelling, and Grand Theft. He was additionally charged with Driving Without a Valid License. Pereira was transported to SPHIDF and is being held on $20,500 bond.
Trio of Shoplifters Caught Red-Handed
A trio of shoplifters was arrested by FCSO deputies on Saturday, in an on-going shoplifting complaint at Target located in Palm Coast.
At approximately 3:55pm, three females were observed by Target’s Loss Prevention employees removing items from the shelves and placing them into a shopping cart and bags. The items were valued at more than $1,100. The females were quickly identified by Target Loss Prevention due to a previous shoplifting incident involving them and notified FCSO Communications.
Deputies arrived as the trio was walking out of the store to their car without paying. They were identified as Chykori Jaielle Giddens, 22, and two juveniles.
Cpl. Smith made contact with one of the juveniles as they were walking out of the store without paying. They were wearing a bracelet that was later identified as being property of Target. The two other suspects were stopped by Deputy First Class Jackson as they were putting items into a red Nissan Altima. Sgt. Kandour observed several Target bags and items in the back seat of the Nissan that were later identified as stolen by Target. Investigators determined that Giddens was the ringleader.
The trio was arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Giddens was arrested for one count of Grand Theft, one count of Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams, and two counts of Causing a Child to Commit an Act of Delinquency. She is being held on $5,000 bond.
Both juveniles were charged with Grand Theft and booked into the Flagler County Inmate Facility (FCIF) before being released to their parents by order of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
Puppy Thief Captured, Puppy Still Missing
On Saturday, a Bunnell woman was arrested for allegedly stealing a two-month-old blue nose Pitbull puppy from a home on Nutwood Ave. FCSO responded to the victim’s home at approximately 10:01 pm. Upon arrival, deputies observed the victim searching for the puppy while asking the suspect what they did with the dog.
The victim told deputies they witnessed Jean Pillittieri, 58, entering their front porch without permission and stealing their Pitbull puppy, before releasing their other dogs from the property. Pillittieri later returned to the victim’s residence to bang on the door and yell at the victim. When Pillittieri raised her hands at the victim, they reacted in self-defense and struck Pillittieri in the face.
Deputies located Pillittieri on her property by a nearby pond, but she would not respond to questioning. Deputy Cangialosi noticed she had an injury to her eye and offered her medical attention, but Pillittieri refused.
Another witness on scene told deputies they witnessed Pillittieri enter the victim’s porch and grab something inside. The witness could not see what Pillittieri had in her hand but saw her walking toward the back of the property with the victim’s dogs surrounding her. The witness then saw the victim trying to round up their dogs as Pillittieri kept telling them she was playing a ‘game’.
A search of the property was conducted on foot and by FCSO Drone to look for the stolen puppy, but it was not located.
Pillittieri was arrested and charged with Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, Grand Theft, and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. She was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on $13,500 bond.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of the stolen dog (pictured below) please call 386-313-4911 or CrimeStoppers of NE Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS.
