FCSO: Law Enforcement Coordination Lead to Recapture of Escaped Inmate in Flagler County
By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)
Published July 28th, 2024
Flagler County, FL — According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, on the morning of Saturday, July 27, a routine treatment at AdventHealth Palm Coast turned into a seven-hour manhunt when Flagler County Sheriff's Office inmate Anthony Romine, 29, escaped on foot. Thanks to vigilant citizens and a coordinated effort by local law enforcement, Romine is back in custody at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
Romine, who had been in custody since July 3 on charges including Petit Theft, Violation of Pre-Trial Release, and Counterfeiting, was transported to the hospital after reportedly sustaining a fall in jail. However, investigators later determined that Romine had faked his injury in a bid to escape and return to Ohio, his home state.
The escape triggered an immediate and extensive search operation. Sheriff Rick Staly personally responded to AdventHealth, coordinating with the on-duty watch commander to direct the search. Over the next seven hours, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) Communications Center received multiple calls from the public reporting possible sightings of Romine.
The search involved various units including the FCSO K-9 Unit, Drone Unit, Flagler County Fire Rescue’s FireFlight helicopter, the Volusia Sheriff's Office’s Air One helicopter, and bloodhounds from Tomoka Correctional Institution. Romine was eventually tracked down by an FCSO K-9 patrol team, hiding beneath foliage and underbrush near the Amoco gas station by the southbound ramp at Interstate 95 and State Road 100 in Palm Coast. The alert clerk at the gas station reported that Romine had entered the store and asked to use the phone, leading deputies to his location.
"We worked until we got him. I commend our team for staying on his trail, and the community for 'seeing something, saying something' until this dirtbag was captured," Sheriff Staly remarked. "All he accomplished was to add additional arrests to his list of crimes and got bitten by our K-9, who gets a special treat for taking 'a bite out of crime' when he tried to flee again. Fortunately, no one was hurt except this dirtbag who was crying after he was caught by our K-9.”
FCSO: Law Enforcement Coordination Lead to Recapture of Escaped Inmate in Flagler County
Following his capture, Romine faced additional charges including a felony warrant for his escape, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Resisting without Violence.
Sheriff Staly also noted, “Now that he has been apprehended, we will start a review of the incident to determine how the deputy assigned to watch him was distracted that resulted in his escape."
This incident underscores the importance of the community's role in aiding law enforcement through the "See Something, Say Something" initiative, proving once again that vigilance and cooperation are key in maintaining public safety.
Article Takeaways:
Inmate Anthony Romine escaped from AdventHealth Palm Coast on July 27 but was recaptured after seven hours.
The successful recapture was a result of coordinated efforts by various law enforcement units and vigilant citizens.
Romine had faked an injury to facilitate his escape with the intention of returning to Ohio.
Sheriff Rick Staly praised the community and law enforcement teams for their efforts, emphasizing the importance of the "See Something, Say Something" initiative.
Romine faces additional charges, including escape and battery on a law enforcement officer.
A review will be conducted to determine how the escape occurred under the deputy's watch.
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