A carjacking suspect who thought crossing county lines would help him get away picked the wrong sheriff’s office to test that theory. Deputies caught up with him fast, and the sheriff made sure everyone knew it.
Deputies were called in to help after a carjacking suspect from Ormond Beach fled into their jurisdiction, allegedly armed with a knife and still having a woman and children inside the stolen vehicle. Deputies located the car and successfully deployed stop sticks to bring it to a halt, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect abandoned the vehicle near a Wendy’s on Old Kings Road and fled on foot. Deputies moved in and rescued the woman and children who had been inside.
From there, deputies launched a search for the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Lee Miller.
It Took Multiple Units
The department’s drone team, the FireFlight helicopter, and a K-9 unit were all called in to help locate Miller after he tried to flee on foot.
Miller was eventually found and arrested on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and child neglect. He’s also facing separate charges out of Ormond Beach tied to the original carjacking.
An Unexpected Development
The case took an unexpected turn once deputies looked closer at the woman found in the vehicle. The woman, 34-year-old Daniella Alvarez, was picked up by Miller at a motel with two children shortly after he stole the vehicle, according to reporting from WFTV.
Alvarez tried to claim she was a victim of the carjacking, but after the investigation, it was clear she was lying. Alvarez was then taken into custody.
A Victorious Sheriff
“This guy made the mistake of trying to flee into our county and thinking he could get away from our deputies,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “There’s nowhere you can hide from FCSO, and he just ended up caught and sweaty from all the running he did.”
The sheriff’s office also addressed a separate rumor that had been circulating, confirming that any reports of a shooting incident tied to the case were unfounded.
The Wrong Fit for the Job
Commenters noted Miller’s appearance; he can be seen wearing slides. Many joked about how hard it must have been to try and flee wearing them. It demonstrates how unprepared Miller actually was, and he wasn’t going to get anywhere wearing that.
Several others were thanking deputies directly, with one calling the response great work and another praising the department’s dedication to keeping the community safe.