BUNNELL, FL – Bunnell Police officers arrested a robbery suspect and recovered the victim’s stolen necklace following an incident shortly after midnight on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
At approximately 12:01 a.m., officers responded to a reported robbery and battery at a homeless campsite located on private property near the State Road 100 overpass at U.S. 1 in Bunnell. The victim reported a man entered the campsite, called him out of his tent, struck him in the face, forcibly snatched a silver necklace from his neck, and fled on a bicycle. The victim sustained a facial laceration during the encounter. Also, the victim knew the suspect by name and provided officers with several details.
Bunnell Police officers and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies immediately searched the surrounding area and located the suspect approximately 40 minutes after the initial report hiding inside a home at 304 S. Anderson Dr, Bunnell, and took him into custody.
Officers identified him as Ruben Boatwright, 34, a transient with ties to Bunnell.
During a search incident to arrest, officers recovered the victim’s necklace from Boatwright’s pocket.
Officers also recovered a glass tube and additional drug paraphernalia. Residue found on the items tested positive for the presence of cocaine.
Boatwright was transported to the Flagler County Inmate Facility on the following charges:
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Robbery by sudden snatching without a firearm or weapon; (Felony)
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Battery — touch or strike; (Misdemeanor)
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Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription; and (Felony)
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Possession of drug paraphernalia. (Misdemeanor)
