- April 26, 2024
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By: Shannon Martin
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to Palm Coast Parkway at 2:25 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, after a stolen Florida tag was spotted attached to a black Chevrolet Camaro. The day before, FCSO had received an alert this vehicle had been involved in a burglary in another county.
FCSO deputies located the Camaro traveling eastbound on Palm Coast Pkwy and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle proceeded to flee but was carefully followed by responding deputies. While following, deputies witnessed the Camaro drive recklessly by running red lights, speeding, and driving into oncoming traffic in an attempt to avoid law enforcement. A second traffic stop was attempted at mile marker 288 on the northbound side of I‐95 where the vehicle complied and came to a stop. A felony traffic stop was initiated, and the driver and his passenger were immediately detained.
Further investigation revealed that the car was a rental from Hertz Rental Company and the driver, Que'sean Phillips, 26, was listed on the rental agreement. The tag that was currently attached to the Camaro was reported stolen in Orlando. The correct tag for the Camaro was located in the backseat of the car.
When the passenger, Algernon Leeks, 27, was removed from the vehicle he was covered in green leafy crumbs. The substance tested positive as marijuana.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was then completed. A large number of driver licenses and bank cards were located in the glovebox on the passenger side directly in front of Leeks. A total of 29 identification cards, Social Security cards and bank cards were recovered. Most of the items were confirmed by FCSO to be stolen during smash and grab vehicle burglaries that occurred in Polk County, Orlando PD, Orange County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Citrus County, Altamonte Springs PD, Pasco County, Plant City PD and Osceola County.
“Here you have a great example of good police work and technology coming together to fight crime in Flagler County,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “These guys have been visiting counties and cities throughout Florida burglarizing cars and stealing bank cards, social security cards and ID’s, but their crime spree and joy ride came to an end as soon as they stepped foot in Flagler County before they could victimize our residents. Let this be a lesson to lawbreakers everywhere, crime stops in Flagler County!”
Leeks and Phillips were arrested and transported to the Flagler County Jail. Leeks was charged with marijuana possession and was held on a $500 bond. Phillips was charged with fleeing to elude, petit theft and reckless driving. He was held on a $6,000 bond. FCSO
detectives are working with other agencies to return the recovered property and assisting these agencies with charging them for crimes that occurred in the other jurisdictions.
