Armed robbery suspect in custody after high speed chase

A 45-year-old Flagler County man was arrested Thursday evening after a three county pursuit that ended in St. Johns County. Deputies arrested Daniel J. Ruddell after leading them onto a high speed pursuit through three counties.

Right before 5:00 p.m. a male suspect entered a convenience store, Circle K, at LPGA/Clyde Morris Blvd. in Daytona Beach. The suspect threatened the store clerk with a bottle of liquid claiming it was toxic and demanded money. The suspect fled the store and got onto I-95 after Volusia County Sheriff's Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

The pursuit went into Flagler County where deputies deployed stop sticks at two separate location in which the suspect evaded. St. Johns County deputies then took the lead as the suspect crossed into their jurisdiction. Deputies in St. Johns deployed stop sticks, which the suspect avoided, and he rammed into a Flagler County Sheriff's Office patrol car and attempted to run over deputies.

Several deputies fired shots at the suspect vehicle who continued northbound until a P.I.T. maneuver caused the suspect to crash near C.R. 214 overpass. The suspect, Daniel Ruddell, 45, Palm Coast, was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to Flagler Hospital for evaluation and then arrested on a charge of aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude with property damage. Additional charges are pending further investigation.