A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detective driving his agency-issued vehicle was arrested on a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement early Thursday, Dec. 4, when he fled from an Ormond Beach police officer who tried to stop him for speeding, according to a charging affidavit.
Detective Ardit Coma, 28, was driving to work in his unmarked vehicle when he was arrested after he failed to stop for police who deployed stop sticks in an effort to stop him, according to the report.
An Ormond Beach Police sergeant spotted a Ford Taurus going northbound on U.S. 1 at 88 mph in a 55 mph zone. The sergeant made a U-turn in his marked police SUV and got behind the Taurus at U.S. 1 and Airport Road when it slowed for traffic.
The Ormond Beach sergeant activated his emergency lights and siren, but the Ford did not stop, the affidavit stated. Other motorists yielded to the police SUV.
Police deploy stop sticks, deputy drives around them
The Ford continued north, accelerating around traffic. “It was apparent the vehicle was actively attempting to flee,” the affidavit stated.
The sergeant turned off his emergency lights and sirens and stopped the pursuit, but radioed the Ford’s direction to other officers in the area. Another officer advised that the Taurus was going about 90 mph.
Another Ormond Beach sergeant deployed stop sticks at North U.S. 1 and Ormond Lakes Boulevard.
The Ford drove around the stop sticks and stopped in the turn lane about 350 feet north of the sticks, the affidavit stated. Police pulled Coma over and ordered him out of the car. He complied and was handcuffed.
Police saw that Coma had a pair of handcuffs, a holstered pistol, and a Flagler Sheriff’s Office badge on his belt, the affidavit stated. Coma told police he was unaware that the sergeant was behind him with the lights and siren activated.
Coma said he was on his way to work and had been stopped by Ormond Beach police before.
The distance between where the sergeant first got behind Coma’s vehicle and where it stopped was about 1.9 miles, the affidavit stated.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Coma suspended without pay
Ormond Beach Police contacted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the scene and retrieved its vehicle and other “work property.”
Coma was immediately suspended without pay, the Sheriff’s Office stated.
The Flagler Sheriff’s Office stated Coma’s salary is $61,995.59.
“Sheriff Rick Staly expects our employees to follow the law, and when a deputy’s alleged actions rise to the level of an arrest, we act swiftly, as this type of behavior is not representative of the values or expectations of the Sheriff’s Office,” said Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge. “We also believe in the criminal justice system, which provides Detective Coma due process just like anyone else.”
Once the criminal case is complete, the Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Unit will conduct an internal investigation. Meanwhile, Coma will remain suspended without pay and will have no law enforcement authority, the Sheriff’s Office stated.
“Coma joined the agency in June 2023 and currently serves in the Major Case Unit. He has received numerous commendations, including a Life Saving Award in 2024,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Speeding Flagler deputy busted for fleeing and eluding in Ormond Beach
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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