On Sunday, October 3, 2021, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on County Road 55 when the driver tried to flee law enforcement and crashed into an FCSO patrol vehicle. The driver, later identified as Scott Watkins (DOB: 11/5/1981), was found to be a fugitive from Putnam County and did not have a valid driver’s license.
At approximately 3 PM, FCSO received a notification about a black Chevrolet with an expired tag and the registered owner of the vehicle had a suspended license. The vehicle was located traveling eastbound on State Road 100 West. When a deputy initiated a traffic stop the vehicle failed to stop and turned on to County Road 55 and then made a U-turn crashing into an FCSO patrol vehicle while attempting to flee deputies.
Upon the driver crashing into the patrol vehicle, deputies conducted a felony traffic stop, giving theÂ
driver verbal commands to exit the vehicle. Watkins complied and was secured. During his arrest, he made a statement that there were possibly pills and methamphetamine in the driver’s door of his vehicle.
Deputies searched Watkins’ vehicle and found syringes with what’s believed to be narcotic residue inside of them. In the driver’s side door, they located a small clear tube with a white, triangle pill and a half, along with a clear plastic baggie with a white, rock-like substance. Through field testing, it was determined the rock-like substance was .8 grams of methamphetamine and the pills were hydromorphone. During questioning, Watkins advised he was aware of the attempt to stop his vehicle and that he was planning to throw narcotics out the passenger window so deputies couldn’t see them.
It was discovered that Watkins had an active warrant from Putnam County and that he had a suspended driver’s license. Watkins was wanted in Putnam County for Failure to Appear for Pretrial, Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended or Revoked, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. It was determined that his license was suspended indefinitely on 5/17/21 and again on 9/27/2021 for Failure to Pay a Traffic Fine. It was canceled indefinitely on 9/27/2021.
Watkins’ criminal history dates back to 2015 in Putnam County. He’s been previously charged with
Shoplifting, Violation of Probation, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana, Trespassing, Fraud, and Possession of Methamphetamine. He’s also been charged in Clay County for Shoplifting, and Possession of Prescription Drugs without a prescription.
“This guy is a multi-county offender but made the mistake of coming to Flagler County,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This guy is a danger on the roadways and has no place being behind the wheel of a vehicle. He tried to flee from our deputies and then carelessly crashed into a patrol car. Fortunately, no one was hurt but he earned a one-way ride to the Green Roof Inn.”
Watkins was arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He was arrested for Driving While License Suspended, Flee and Elude Law Enforcement with Lights and Sirens, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Hydromorphones, Reckless Driving, and Out of County Arrest Warrant. He’s being held on a $12,000 bond.
View Footage Here: https://youtu.be/oh0t_Rtw8NQ
Date: October 5, 2021
Prepared by: Melissa Morreale
Phone and Email: 386-529-4086; mmorreale@flaglersheriff.com  Release #: 2021-226
