- May 3, 2024
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On Monday, Oct. 25, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on County Road 305 in Bunnell on a Dodge pickup truck with an expired tag and a registered owner whose driver’s license expired in 2019. The driver was arrested. But deputies found other unexpected items in the truck.
An inventory search of his vehicle was conducted and drug paraphernalia were found — and a device appearing to be a grenade. The driver stated he had cleaned out a veteran’s home and found the grenade and decided to keep it. He was unaware if it was active or not.
FCSO closed SR 305 between SR 100 West and CR 302 and diverted traffic to ensure the safety of the community. FCSO requested assistance from the St. John’s County Explosive Ordinance Disposal to determine if it was a real grenade or a prop replica. SJCSO responded and after conducting an investigation, including an X-ray of the device, it was believed to be a real grenade. The grenade was removed from the vehicle and safely detonated by SJCSO EOD experts at a nearby county-owned facility.
The driver has a criminal history in both Florida and Georgia, including Burglary, Possession of Sea Oats, and Rape.
“Here’s a prime example of how deputies never know what a traffic stop may turn into,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This guy was pulled over because his tag and license were expired, and then deputies found drugs and a grenade in his vehicle. This idiot is lucky he did not blow himself or his truck up. Carrying around an explosive device is very dangerous and illegal. I’m proud of how deputies utilized their training to close the area to ensure everyone stayed safe and took this situation seriously."
