Reckless Driver Arrested, and a Reminder There is Never a Routine Traffic Stop
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 17 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024. Deputies handled 708 calls for service and made 130 traffic stops.
Reckless Driver Arrested with Fake ID
On October 18 along Central Avenue, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff observed a man, later identified as Joseph Mitrano, 20, of Palm Coast, driving a motorcycle at 60 MPH in a 25 MPH zone and passing several other vehicles in a no-passing zone around a curve. Initially, Sgt. Daniel Weaver lost sight of the motorcycle due to its speed but could hear it accelerating away. Detective Daniel Malta observed the motorcycle race by him while doing a wheelie near Central Avenue and Belle Terre Parkway. The motorcycle eventually got caught in traffic near Royal Palms Parkway, where Sgt. Weaver and Master Det. Malta apprehended the motorcyclist. Mitrano was immediately detained and admitted to having a fake ID in his wallet. He was arrested for Reckless Driving and Possession of a Forged Driver’s License. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he later posted bond and was released. Mitrano had previously fled from Volusia County Sheriff’s Deputies on the same motorcycle on Dec. 26, 2023.
“This guy thought he could recklessly drive around Flagler County with a complete disregard for the safety of others,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “His irresponsible driving has no place in Flagler County, and I commend our deputies who stopped this reckless driver before he got himself or someone else injured or killed.”
Joseph Mitrano (Flagler Co. Jail Mugshot)
Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest
On October 20, a traffic stop was conducted on a truck for a window tint infraction. The driver, identified as Christopher Poggi, 44, from Palm Coast, stated he had previously stopped for the same violation but had not resolved the issue. While speaking with the deputy, Poggi admitted to having narcotics in the truck. During a search, a glass pipe with a burnt, crystal-like substance was found in one of Poggi’s boots. Poggi told the deputy there was methamphetamine in the pipe, and he smoked it just hours before he was pulled over. Also in the truck was a prescription bottle containing Oxycodone, Gabapentin, Buspirone, and Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride. Poggi was arrested for Methamphetamine Possession, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment, and three counts of Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug without a Prescription. Last February, Poggi was arrested for obstruction without violence when he attempted to hide another man wanted on several felony warrants in his home.
“This guy continues to make wrong choices, from attempting to hide a fugitive in his house to smoking meth and driving around Flagler County,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This also proves there’s never a simple traffic stop and why deputies look beyond the initial violation. Hopefully, this man will clean up his act and become a more productive citizen, or he’ll just keep visiting the Green Roof Inn until he does.”
Christopher Poggi (Flagler Co. Jail Mugshot)
