Two men accused of smashing windows of businesses at a Palm Coast shopping plaza were taken into custody Saturday, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.
- Two men accused of breaking windows at businesses
- Men taken into custody after brief chase
- Deputies believe the men may be involved with other burglaries
A homeless man called 911 at 5:19 a.m. to report that the men were breaking windows at Winn-Dixie Plaza.
According to deputies, 24-year-old Johnnie Thomas Jr. and 20-year-old Rico Ransom entered a Subway and Five Star Pizza after breaking the storefront windows.
Deputies arrived at the shopping plaza and met with the witness who said the suspects were driving a silver Lexus.
The vehicle was spotted on Interstate 95 a short time later.
Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspects fled. A chase ensued on I-95 until the vehicle ran over stop sticks. It crashed into a retention pond near I-95 and State Road 100.
Thomas and Ransom were taken into custody at 5:39 a.m.
The Sheriff’s Office said it believes the two men were involved in other smash-and-grab burglaries along the I-95 corridor.