Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies made 13 arrests last weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024. They handled 683 calls for service and made 105 traffic stops.
“It was a busy weekend in Flagler County,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I’m proud of the team effort that likely saved a child and woman after a car crash sent their car in to a water-filled ditch and another criminal found out they should have detoured Flagler County in the stolen car they were driving!”
On Saturday, January 6th just before 11 a.m., Deputies were notified of grey Chevrolet SUV that had been reported stolen from Sebring, FL, was spotted in the area of US-1. Officers with the Bunnell Police Department located the vehicle and attempted to stop it at US-1 and State Road 11. The vehicle stopped briefly, but then fled north bound on US-1. FCSO deputies deployed Stop Sticks, a brand of tire deflation devices used by law enforcement, in an attempt to disable the vehicle. Three of the vehicle’s tires were successfully deflated but the suspect continued to drive north on US-1 on its rims. Flagler County Fire Flight was launched to assist in monitoring the vehicle as it continued to flee.
The vehicle ultimately stopped and deputies attempted a high-risk traffic stop but the suspect refused to exit the vehicle. The vehicle once again began to drive north on US-1. The vehicle ultimately veered off the roadway and got stuck in the grass along the shoulder of US-1, approximately one mile south of Old Kings Road. The suspect again continued to resist arrest by revving the engine in an attempt to escape and refused to exit the stolen car.
The suspect, Carlton Paul Gillette, 50 eventually surrendered and exited the vehicle. Gillette was arrested for Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Flee and Elude, Resisting Without Violence, Possession Methamphetamine, and less than 20 grams of Marijuana. Possible stolen jewelry and a laptop were also located in the vehicle. Additional charges are pending by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
For video of the chase and arrest: http://tinyurl.com/3rkmfebf
Deputies and Firefighters Rescue Child and Adult from Partially Submerged Vehicle
On Friday, January 5, 2024, Deputy Prevatt and Deputy Lichty responded to a crash with injuries involving two adults and a small child after their vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a ditch filled with water.
When deputies arrived, they found a dazed and bleeding male outside of the vehicle and noticed an adult female and small child in a car seat, were still trapped inside the vehicle just above water. Deputies forced entry into the car and with the aid of firefighters that had arrived to assist, pulled the child out of the partially submerged car. The child, who was alert and conscious, was turned over to firefighters and paramedics for evaluation and treatment. Deputies then worked as a team with firefighters to rescue the female from the vehicle.
All occupants were transported to AdventHealth-Palm Coast for treatment and the crash investigation was turned over to Florida Highway Patrol.
For video of incident: http://tinyurl.com/42yefmhz
