Joint Operation Leads to Apprehension of Fugitive Career Criminal in Daytona Beach

By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO

On November 19, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and the United States Secret Service conducted a joint operation to locate and apprehend a fugitive career criminal. As a result of the operation, Michael Underwood, 37, a criminal with an extensive history of charges and a fugitive from Flagler County, was arrested in Daytona Beach.

The operation to locate Underwood — who was a fugitive from Flagler County wanted for Possession of Cocaine, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — began between FCSO’s Problem Area Crime Enforcement team and the Secret Service. Detectives obtained a search warrant to determine Underwood’s location. Once Underwood was determined to be outside of Flagler County, the DBPD was notified to assist in the apprehension.

Underwood was located in Daytona Beach by the DBPD’s Violent Crime Apprehension Team. He was arrested on his warrant and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he is being held without bond.

Underwood’s criminal history includes 67 criminal charges, including 25 felony arrests and ten convictions. Underwood has previously been arrested for numerous narcotics-related offenses, including driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, home invasion, and fleeing from law enforcement.

Michael Underwood is arrested by a Daytona Beach Police Department officer.

“If you have an active warrant in Flagler County, you can’t hide. We’ll find you no matter where you are,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Thanks to teamwork between our local and federal partners, this career criminal is off the street and back in jail where he belongs.”