By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office, FCSO
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a fugitive from justice wanted in Vermont, who quickly learned that anyone with an active warrant should avoid moving to Flagler County.
On August 15, deputies in FCSO’s Community Policing Division contacted the FCSO Fugitive Unit with information on a suspect in a string of larcenies targeting smoke shops. The suspect, Taylor Crowningshield, 27, of Palm Coast, was identified as a fugitive from justice with multiple warrants in Vermont. Crowningshield was wanted in Vermont for robbery, assault, and violation of probation since May 2024.
With assistance from the FCSO Real Time Crime Center, the Barre City Police Department in Vermont, and the Vermont Department of Corrections, the Fugitive Unit determined that Crowningshield had recently moved to an address on Bressler Lane in Palm Coast.
Through investigative means, a Fugitive Unit deputy located Crowningshield on August 18 at St. Joe Plaza in Palm Coast, where she was seen walking into Galaxy One Smoke Shop. A few minutes later, the deputy observed Crowningshield fleeing the store, being chased by an employee. As Crowningshield entered her vehicle, the deputy activated his emergency lights and ordered her to exit the vehicle. However, she ignored his commands and fled out of the parking lot and onto Palm Coast Parkway, where the deputy temporarily lost sight of her.
Another Fugitive Unit deputy responded to Crowningshield’s residence and, within minutes, spotted her as she drove to the residence and parked in the driveway. The deputy approached her vehicle and ordered her to exit, which she refused. The deputy then attempted to remove her from the vehicle, but she resisted by reaching toward the passenger side of the vehicle. After she was removed from the vehicle, Crowningshield continued resisting the deputy while he attempted to place her in handcuffs.
Once Crowningshield was secured, the deputy informed her of her active warrants. However, while the deputy was waiting for additional units to arrive, Crowningshield then took off running. The deputy quickly caught up to her and secured her in a patrol vehicle without further incident.
Deputies arrested Crowningshield on her fugitive from justice warrant, as well as charges of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with lights and sirens active, resisting arrest without violence, and attempted escape. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she is being held without bond.
Left, Taylor Crowningshield during her arrest. Right, Taylor Crowningshield (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
“This woman was a fugitive and made the mistake of coming to Flagler County, and then tried to steal from a local business. However, she quickly learned that that only gets you taken to jail,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Thanks to great teamwork by our patrol deputies, Fugitive Unit, Real Time Crime Center, and law enforcement partners in Vermont, we quickly caught her and took her to the Green Roof Inn. We will keep her in jail under no bond as a fugitive from justice until she is sent back to Vermont. I guess she should have fled to North Carolina and not Florida, and especially Flagler County, where we don’t play around!”
Deputies later responded to Galaxy One Smoke Shop, where an employee stated that they observed Crowningshield steal an item from the store. Instead of pressing charges, the employee had Crowningshield trespass from the store.
View body camera footage from Crowningshield’s arrest.
