- July 21, 2026
July 20
Car meet turns violent with axe attack
9:13 p.m. — Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast
Aggravated assault. A Palm Coast man was arrested after deputies say he armed himself with an axe and attacked multiple vehicles during what investigators believe was a fake car meet organized to lure and assault homeless people.
According to the arrest report, deputies responded to Cypress Point Parkway after multiple 911 callers reported a disturbance involving an axe and a possible firearm. Witnesses told deputies a shirtless man smashed vehicle windows and hoods with an axe, causing hundreds to thousands of dollars in damage while several victims feared for their lives.
The 43-year-old suspect told deputies he had been sleeping in his car when a group attacked him by throwing rocks and bottles before kicking and punching him. He claimed he wrestled an axe away from one of the attackers after it was swung at him. Investigators later determined he admitted to striking one of the vehicles with the axe and also acknowledged smoking THC before the incident.
Deputies concluded the suspect intentionally struck the vehicles with the axe and arrested him on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of criminal mischief. Investigators said the assault on the suspect by unidentified individuals remains under investigation.
May 19
Employee accused of stealing $5,500 cash deposit
2:08 p.m. — U.S. Highway 1 South, Bunnell
Grand theft. A St. Augustine woman was charged after investigators say she admitted taking a $5,500 cash deposit from her employer.
According to the arrest report, deputies responded to a business on U.S. Highway 1 South after employees discovered a cash deposit accepted on May 16 was missing. The business owner later received text messages from the employee admitting she had taken the money without permission. Surveillance video also reportedly showed the employee returning to the business after hours and entering the accounting office.
The business owner signed a willingness to prosecute form, and deputies collected the receipt for the $5,500 payment along with the text message exchange as evidence.
The 39-year-old woman was charged with grand theft involving property valued between $5,000 and $10,000.
