BUNNELL, Florida -- Newly released body camera video shows a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy chase down and use his TASER to stop a fleeing felon this week.
Deputies observed a gold Chevrolet sedan traveling at a high rate of speed on South US 1 on Wednesday and attempted to pull over the vehicle, according to a news release.
The driver, later identified as 24-year-old Michael Anthony Ross, slowed down initially but then accelerated in an attempt to flee.
Deputies terminated the traffic stop attempt due to public safety concerns and instead followed Ross from a safe distance. Ross’ speeding ended at North State Street in Bunnell when, after running a red light, he lost control of his car and crashed.
As deputies closed in, Ross exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the crash on foot. A deputy caught up withInitially, Ross refused to disclose his identity and the Flagler County Sheriff's Officer utilized Rapid Identification technology that revealed not only his identity but that he was a fugitive from Wisconsin wanted for Violation of Probation for Armed Burglary and that he has been on the run for the past four years.
"This is another great example of how technology and good police work can pair together to fight crime," Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. "When a deputy initiates a traffic stop they never know what they are walking into. In this case, deputies caught a wanted fugitive who has been on the run for four years. I am glad no one was hurt by his reckless actions. Let this be a lesson to fugitives who think they can hide out in Flagler County. We will find you, you will go to jail, and we will use our technology to get you."
Ross was transported to Advent Hospital Palm Coast where he was medically cleared and then booked in to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He was charged with Fleeing and Eluding, Resisting an Officer Without Violence, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injuries and Driving Without a License. He isbeing held on a $6,000.00 bond for his Flagler County charges and no bond for his out of state warrant.
