The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in a Lake County, Florida, shooting after he was stopped in Flagler County, fled on foot, and was apprehended.
On the afternoon of March 21, the FCSO Communications Center was notified by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office that a suspect involved in a shooting in Lake County had passed through their jurisdiction and was crossing into Flagler County on State Road 11 near Cody’s Corner. Through investigative means, the FCSO Real Time Crime Center identified the suspect as Levon Coakley, 36, of Tampa, Florida, and determined that he had a secondary address on Slumber Path in Palm Coast.
Deputies located Coakley’s vehicle on U.S. Highway 1 and, when it arrived at the Slumber Path address, attempted a felony traffic stop. Coakley exited the vehicle but ignored deputies’ verbal commands. He then re-entered the vehicle and fled. Coakley’s reckless driving caused a multi-vehicle crash, which resulted in minor injuries.
Coakley fled onto Interstate 95, traveling in the opposite direction of traffic. Deputies deployed stop sticks along I-95 near mile marker 290 and successfully deflated the vehicle’s tires. The vehicle rolled before landing upright, striking trees, and catching fire. Coakley then fled on foot into the woods in the F-Section of Palm Coast.
Deputies launched an extensive manhunt that included members of FCSO’s patrol units, Fugitive Unit, K-9 Unit, and Traffic Enforcement Unit, with assistance from Florida Highway Patrol, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. The FCSO Drone Unit, RTCC, and VSO’s Air One helicopter provided support.
Following a nearly hourlong search, deputies located Coakley just north of the crash location. Coakley surrendered and was taken into custody. Deputies found the gun used in the Lake County shooting in Coakley’s vehicle.
“This was truly a multi-agency effort, as this dirtbag fled through multiple counties before our deputies stopped and caught him,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “He put a lot of lives in danger when he recklessly fled from law enforcement, and I am thankful that nobody was hurt or killed because of his dangerous actions.”
Coakley’s local charges include Fleeing and Eluding with Disregard for Safety of Persons or Property, Resisting Arrest without Violence, Reckless Driving Damage to Persons or Property, and Failure to Stop or Remain at Crash Involving Injury. Deputies also arrested Coakley on a Lake County warrant for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.
Upon arrest, Coakley was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance and then booked in to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he is being held without bond.
