- April 26, 2024
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A man with a criminal history dating back to 2001 snatched a woman's car keys, stole her Honda CRV and then led deputies on a car chase on June 19.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office had responded to Coral Reef Court about a physical disturbance.
The victim told deputies that a male, later identified as 38-year-old Angelo Walsh, had just fled the scene after battering her and stealing her silver Honda CRV. Further investigation revealed that the entire incident was captured on a neighbor's RING video doorbell camera.
The footage shows Walsh first trying to hotwire another car sitting in the neighboring driveway. When he is unable to steal that car, he sets his sights on the victim.
Walsh is then seen hastily walking toward the victim and striking an oncoming vehicle with a hammer as he is walking towards her.
The vehicle he strikes drives off and Walsh can be seen placing the hammer on the ground before approaching the victim and demanding the keys to her car.
The victim refuses, and that is when Walsh grabs her arm.
The victim breaks free from Walsh and runs to the passenger side of her car, Walsh catches up with her and this time successfully snatches the keys from her.
The footage then shows Walsh back onto the roadway at a high rate of speed, almost crashing into an oncoming vehicle before driving across the neighbor’s lawn and into their backyard.
FCSO deputies observed Walsh traveling north on Palm Coast Parkway towards Old Kings Road.
Deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens attempting to perform a traffic stop, but Walsh ignored their attempts and instead continued to drive erratically.
Deputies observed Walsh traveling at speeds of 70 mph and swerving in and out of traffic lanes.
Numerous times, Walsh’s driving threatened public safety, and at one point, Walsh drove through a hedge at a CVS parking lot and the Lutheran Church.
Walsh’s joy ride came to an end when he turned onto Kingswood Drive and crashed the stolen vehicle into a tree at the Red Roof Inn.
Walsh attempted to flee on foot, but quickly gave up when confronted by deputies and was detained.
Deputies requested Fire Rescue to respond and evaluate Walsh for his crash-related injuries.
He was then taken to Advent Hospital where he was medically cleared and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention facility.
This is not Walsh’s first encounter with law enforcement. He has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2001.
His previous charges include Shoplifting, Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Dealing in Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief, Public Intoxication, Reckless Driving, Driving While License Suspended, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Grand Theft of a Firearm, Battery, Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest without Violence, Smuggling Contraband into a Detention Facility, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Fleeing and Eluding Police.
“This is a situation that could have had a much more tragic outcome for either the suspect or the victim,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This guy has had so many chances to change his life, but has zero respect for the law. I am very thankful that no one was seriously injured during this carjacking. Walsh might have been arrested at the Red Roof Inn, but now he can spend some time at the Green Roof Inn where he belongs. I hope that the judge will keep him there for a long time before his next escapade winds up injuring or killing someone.”
Angelo Walsh is charged with Battery on a Person over 65, Carjacking without a Firearm or Weapon, Burglary of a Conveyance, Aggravated Fleeing with Injury or Damage, Criminal Mischief, Resisting an Officer without Violence, Crash with Damage to Vehicle or Property, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving While License Suspended. He is held on no bond.
Footage of the incident can be seen here: https://youtu.be/2NI8R_rZ6bI.
