- April 24, 2024
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On Nov. 21, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling southbound on Belle Terre for a traffic infraction. The driver, later identified as Benjamin Jacob Bowie, was approached by deputies who noticed he was extremely nervous, stumbling through responses, and reaching toward the floorboard. A strong odor of what was believed to be cannabis was coming from the vehicle, and Bowie was instructed to exit.
While deputies started to handle the initial traffic violation, Bowie attempted to push a deputy out of the way to regain access to his vehicle. Bowie was then secured for officer safety and during handcuffing, he again resisted while being placed into a patrol vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, and a satchel was located with two firearms, magazines, and ammunition by the driver’s side floorboard. A bag of cannabis was recovered on the passenger side floorboard weighing 12.4 grams. Deputies also recovered two additional firearms, magazines, and ammunition in the trunk, along with a rubber skeleton face mask, and a black full-face knitted mask with mouth and eye holes.
Bowie was then determined to be a fugitive from Pierce County Georgia for Grand Theft Auto and had been recently arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for Resisting Arrest with Violence and Possession of Cannabis. He had been released on bond and has a criminal history of Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals in Georgia.
“Here’s another example of how a routine traffic stop led deputies to arresting a dangerous fugitive,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “A traffic violation turned into the recovery of multiple firearms and a fugitive traveling through Flagler County. Our deputies did a great job handling this dangerous situation that could have ended very differently had this guy grabbed the gun that was under his seat.”
Bowie was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Resisting Officer without Violence, and Possession of Cannabis Under 20g. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility without further incident and is being held on no bond. Additional charges are pending.
