Flagler Co. sheriff helps in stolen car arrest

The sheriff of Flagler County says he zeroed in on a stolen car Friday night while on patrol. 

“I’m not a sheriff that sits behind a desk. I’ll never be a desk jockey,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. 

Investigators say St. John’s County deputies first spotted the stolen van, but ended up losing sight of it as the driver headed into Flagler County. 

The sheriff and his deputies then converged on the area. 

Staly says the stolen van had markings from a painting company on it, so the driver parked it in front of a home that was under construction on Surf Drive in Palm Coast to blend in. 

But the sheriff didn’t miss it. 

“As soon as my headlights hit it, he popped up so I could tell it was an occupied vehicle,” Staly said. 

This is the second time in six days the sheriff says he’s drawn his gun during a felony arrest.

“To me, this is just part of the way I operate as sheriff,” Staly said. 

Investigators say in Friday’s case, Jamaine Butts was arrested for grand theft. 

They say he’s also a suspect in a West Palm Beach burglary. 

Staly says he called in back-up and Butts was taken into custody without incident.