- April 17, 2024
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Deputies are searching for a fugitive in the woods near Old Kings Road in Palm Coast, according to a news release by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to State Road 100 around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, after a verbal disturbance involving a man, later identified as 24-year-old Justin Tyler Blake, and his ex-girlfriend. Blake fled upon law enforcement's arrival.
The victim told deputies that she was leaving AdventHealth in Palm Coast at around 6 p.m. Tuesday, when she saw a U-Haul truck in the parking lot and Blake exiting the truck walking towards her. She went into a nearby McDonald's to hide and call for help. Blake followed her again toward RaceTrac at State Road 100 East and Old Kings Road. A friend of the victim came to pick her up but as she got in the vehicle, Blake grabbed the victim by the arm and would not allow her to enter the vehicle. The victim had scrapes and a large red mark on her left forearm consistent with her statements.
The victim stated that Blake had been following her for the past few months and she was in fear for her life. She said that she moved out of the house they were living in together out of state due to Blake physically beating her and their children. She told deputies that he has continuously followed her from Texas and will not leave her alone. Blake has allegedly made numerous threats to harm those who stand in his way of getting to her.
Deputies placed stop sticks behind the right tire of the U-Haul truck. There was a small dog in the front seat with the windows down. As deputies kept watch, Blake returned to the U-Haul and deputies gave loud commands to exit the vehicle. Blake put the vehicle in reverse and backed over the stop sticks, which immediately deflated the tires.
A deputy then stood at the front of the truck with his firearm drawn and ordered Blake out again. Justin put the vehicle in-drive and drove straight toward a deputy with no indication of stopping. The deputy ran toward the passenger side of the vehicle so that he would not get hit by the truck.
Blake pulled onto State Road 100 toward I-95 southbound. He drove on and off the roadway multiple times with a right rear tire completely gone at speeds of 55-65 mph. He then drove the vehicle into the southbound I-95 median around the 279-mile marker where he exited the moving vehicle and ran into the woods.
FCSO K9 deputies tracked the subject along with assistance of Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter, but they were unable to locate him.
His charges include aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, stalking, domestic battery and more.
The U-Haul truck was removed from the scene by John’s Towing. The dog inside the vehicle was turned over to Animal Control.
“Not only has this suspect stalked his victim across multiple states, but he also endangered the lives of the other drivers on the road and one of my deputies,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release. “He picked the wrong county. We will not rest until we find him and lock him up where he belongs.”
