Flager County car thief caught and taken into custody in St. Johns County, officials said
A car thief from the Palm Coast didn’t make it far on Wednesday as teamwork between Flagler County and St. Johns County Sheriffs’ Offices nabbed the suspect within an hour of his alleged crime.
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It all went down on May 31 as a Palm Coast resident called FCSO to report their car stolen. The victim spotted the thief on their home security camera while they were at work.
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The resident stated that a man was shown in the security footage entering the open garage door, removing the car keys from a rack in the garage and then driving away in the car.
Deputies were quick to establish a possible suspect. He was a neighbor with a history of trespassing. FCSO communications, the FCSP real-time crime center and the SJSO real-time crime center all went to work tracking the vehicle that traveled into and around St. Johns County.
Less than an hour after the car theft took place SJSO deputies located the vehicle and arrested the suspect. He has been identified as 19-year-old Jaden Woodard, Palm Coast.
Woodard is currently being held at the St. John’s County Jail on charges including trespassing, resisting an officer without violence and possession of cocaine. Additional charges are pending in relation to burglary and grand theft.
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“Due to the quick actions by deputies to identify a possible suspect and collaboration with SJSO and both Real Time Crime Centers, the victim was able to quickly get their car back,” FCSO Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. “Remember to make sure you lock up your home, close your garage door, and keep your keys in a safe place inside your home to prevent thieves like Jaden from stealing your car!”
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