On October 3 at about 2:30 a.m., Deputy Caleb Tassey was patrolling the area of Cormorant Court in Palm Coast when he observed a person on a bicycle leaving the area of a home under construction. Deputy Tassey conducted a security check of the home and requested backup. As deputies were clearing the inside of the residence, they observed three people run from the back of the house and into a canal. Deputies pursued them and saw two males and a female jump into the water.
The two males swam across the canal and climbed out of the water onto Columbus Street. The female was apprehended as she was getting out of the water. The two males were located a short time later by responding deputies behind a home on Columbus Street. All were juveniles ranging in age from 13 to 15.
Through investigative means, deputies determined there was a fourth teen also involved who had fled, leaving the other three behind. He was eventually found on Cimmaron Drive.
Deputies returned to the home under construction on Cormorant Court and found a school ID belonging to one of the teens and three cellphones. They also discovered that the home had been damaged, and eggs had been thrown throughout the home.
The four teens were released back to their respective guardians and charging affidavits were completed for Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure, Criminal Mischief, Loitering or Prowling, and Resisting an Officer without Violence. The affidavits were forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office.
“What were these teens doing out at 2:30 in the morning, on a school night? Parents, please be the Sheriff of your home so I don’t have to be,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Parents should remember that under Florida law you are responsible for the costs of the damage your kids do, so know where they are, what they are doing and who they are with. Hopefully, they have learned a valuable lesson from their early morning swim and escapades and get back on track to being good citizens.”
Since only charging affidavits have been filed with the SAO, FCSO is not releasing their names. Once the SAO reviews the case and makes a charging decision, if they are charged with a felony, their names will be released.
