Fast & Furious: Teen Fugitive Leads Florida Cops on a High Speed Chase in Stolen Ferrari!
A teen was arrested in Florida after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen Ferrari following an armed home invasion. 🌐 #News #PalmCoastFL #Florida #Crime
PALM COAST, FL – A teenager was arrested in Florida on Tuesday after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through multiple counties in a stolen Ferrari, authorities said.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified by the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office at around noon on Tuesday that a a blue 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider that had been stolen in Rhode Island days before in an armed home invasion had fled from deputies attempting a traffic stop and was heading for Flagler County.
The driver, 19-year-old Johnathan Costa of Rhode Island, was wanted by the Cranston Police Department in Rhode Island and was reported to be armed and dangerous, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop as soon as the Ferrari entered Flagler County, but it continued traveling at speeds over 100 mph, “narrowly avoiding colliding with multiple other vehicles,” the sheriff’s office said. Deputies gave chase, joined by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 were temporarily shut down and stop sticks were deployed while law enforcement continued chasing the vehicle.
When the Ferrari fled through a school zone and deputies reduced their speed, they lost sight of the vehicle. A sheriff’s department helicopter along with a Flagler County Fire Rescue helicopter searched for the vehicle while nearby schools were placed in a “secure hold” status as a precaution.
Investigators determined Costa had a friend who lived on Royal Palm Lane in Palm Coast, and issued a be-on-the-lookout notice for the area.
Deputies set up a perimeter around the residence, and Costa exited and was apprehended without incident.
“Time and time again, criminals make the mistake of entering Flagler County, but it’s not everyday they do it in a stolen Ferrari. So let this be a lesson… not even a Ferrari is fast enough to escape from the law,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement.
Costa was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond as a fugitive from justice from Rhode Island charged with entering dwelling with felonious intent, using a firearm when committing a crime of violence, and conspiracy.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, and local charges against Costa may be pending.
“This criminal clearly had no regard for others as he traveled at extremely dangerous speeds, even through a school zone, and put everyone on the road around him in danger,” Staly said.
“Thankfully, our deputies and partners are well-trained and I’m glad he was captured before his joyride turned fatal. Frankly, he’s lucky to be behind bars in the Green Roof Inn instead of dead behind the wheel or facing even more serious charges.”
Costa was originally believed to be traveling with Logan Slezak, who was also wanted in connection with the home invasion in Rhode Island, but he was not. Hours after Costa’s arrest in Florida, Slezak turned himself in to the North Providence Police Department in Rhode Island, and was then taken into custody by the Cranston Police Department.
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Emma Smith for JackAndKitty.com.
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