From missing persons to domestic disturbances, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) had a busy 24 hours of patrol Monday. FCSO communication specialists serviced 276 different calls from 6 a.m., Monday to 6 a.m, Tuesday.
Apprehending a pair of major criminals headlined the arrest docket for the FCSO. The day began early with the capture of a man wanted for three counts of Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer in Gilchrist County on January 10.
Previously released on a $75,000 bond for the three felony charges, David Keith Etheridge of Palm Coast was brought in on a warrant in connection with the charges in Gilchrist County. FCSO Deputies served an out-of-county warrant on the 30-year-old Palm Coast resident at a Coral Reef Court home just before 9 a.m., Monday.
The 30-year-old bonded out of the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility earlier today.
The FCSO night shift would take part in the apprehension of a second wanted man as they worked with the Bunnell Police Department on a case.
After the St. John’s Sheriff’s Office issued a “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) request for 33-year-old Shayne Lavan Steward of Fort Meyers, Florida for stealing a car, FCSO deputies and Bunnell Police Department officers teamed up to take the fugitive into custody.
Deputies and officers of the two agencies responded to the area of North State Street just after 8:30 p.m., Monday. After positive identification was made, an FCSO deputy set up stop sticks in the path of the stolen vehicle. The stop sticks deployed a successful hit, but the car continued until the chase came to an end on E. Drain Street. That’s where the vehicle quickly changed directions, colliding with the driver’s side of a BPD patrol car.
Steward then attempted to flee on foot as FCSO deputies and BPD officers pursued him. After issuing verbal warnings for Steward to stop, a BPD officer tased him. After issuing several more verbal commands, Steward, now on the ground, attempted to get on his feet and run. That’s when he was tased a second time. Steward was then taken into custody, transported to Advent Health Palm Coast for treatment and then processed into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
The BPD officer involved in the vehicle collision with Steward was treated for a head abrasion and an injury to his left hand.
“Here are two guys who thought they could commit crimes somewhere else and then hide out in Flagler County. The long arm of the law was here waiting on them and took them down,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “When you choose a life of crime, you are choosing to lose your freedom. From attempting to hurt law enforcement officers to stealing someone’s car and hurting another officer in the process, these fugitives got exactly what they deserved. A one-way trip to the Green Roof Inn.”
Steward is currently in the Green Roof Inn where he is being held on no bond. Steward is on Probation for Robbery and has an Out of County Arrest Warrant from the Florida Department of Corrections for Parole Violation reference Robbery. He now faces charges for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Resist Officer without Violence, Criminal Mischief over $1,000, Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer and Flee and Elude Law Enforcement with Lights and Sirens.
Steward’s criminal record dates back to 2007. He’s previously been charged in Flagler County for Resist Officer without Violence, Battery on Security Officer, Battery by Spitting (DV), Driving While Licensee Suspended with Knowledge and Failure to Appear.
