When and where cops set off a vehicle chase is prescribed by policy, to minimize the risk of injury. Cops do on occasion seem to speed around town recklessly, either to get to a scene or in pursuit of suspects. One such case resulted in the death of an innocent driver on State Road 100 in February, and injuries to the Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy speeding to a scene. But police reports frequently note the restraint of officers or deputies who purposefully de-escalate a chase when they sense that it may do more harm than good, even at the risk of losing a suspect.
When and where vigilantes set off chase is unpredictable, and can pose huge risks to drivers and pedestrians in the way.
Michael Marsh, 30, of 6 Raeitan Way in Palm Coast, and Andrew Hubbard, 26, of 11 Reine Place in Palm Coast, were jailed late Tuesday evening on aggravated assault charges stemming from a car chase they allegedly triggered and led through the parking lots of Walgreens, Publix and Winn Dixie in the heart of Palm Coast, at times endangering bystanders and riding on a curb.
According to a police report, Marsh suspected two people—Angelo Walsh and Alan Parker—of stealing from his girlfriend. He spotted them in the parking lot of Walgreens on Belle Terre Parkway. Walsh was at the wheel of a blue Chevrolet pick-up. Marsh was driving a gold 2007 Mercury four-door. He used the Mercury to cut off Walsh and prevent him from leaving the Walgreens parking lot. Walsh weaved the pick-up around the block and fled.
Marsh set chase “around town,” the report states, chasing Walsh through the Publix parking lot at 4950 Belle Terre Parkway, down Corporate Drive, then through the Winn Dixie parking lot on Palm Coast Parkway. Marsh tried several times to cut Walsh off, but was unsuccessful, the report states, though Walsh “had to drive his vehicle over a curb at one point to avoid a collision.”
Hubbard was a passenger in Marsh’s car. At one point he jumped out and started yelling at Marsh, with Marsh jabbing at Hubbard with an aluminum baseball bat. Hubbard “took the bat from [Walsh] and hit it on the front windshield of the Chevrolet truck,” the report states, some of the glass striking Walsh. Shannon Marty of Palm Coast and Matthew Haughton, 39, of Palm Coast, were in the pick-up during the incident.
Marsh and Hubbard then fled the scene, the report states. Several witnesses told police that the Mercury almost struck the pick-up several times.
Marsh and Hubbard were soon located in the Mercury at Walgreens, where cops conducted a traffic stop. Occupants of the pickup all identified the pair as their alleged assailants. The baseball bat was recovered at Belle Terre Parkway and Cypress Point Parkway.
Hubbard and Marsh were booked into the county jail, Marsh on $5,000 bond, which he posted, and Hubbard on $1,000 bond, which he had not posted by early afternoon Wednesday. Both had been booked at the jail several times previously. In April, Hubbard was charged with grand theft, battery on a detained person, and burglary of an occupied dwelling. Two years ago he faced a felony battery charge. Marsh was charged with probation violation in May, was charged with a felony count of driving on a suspended license in 2011, and grand theft and dealing in stolen property earlier that year.
A.S.F. says
Another case of vigilante justice from manly and morally stellar Florida goons. I am thankful that, on this ocassion, guns were not employed although they very easily could have been. It is time for judges and prosecutors to take these kinds of cases more seriously.
confidential says
How many times these type of preying birds are allowed to fly out of our local court rooms and back into our communities?
unknown says
Remember those are charges not convictions, innocent until proven guilty. By the way both man had several of those charges dropped.
Phil McElrath says
I’m thinking the driver can do without a drivers licence for the next 5 years. Sieze the car.
Magnolia says
I’m thinking assault with a deadly weapon. Send them up for a long time.
brian says
bond? why? they almost killed some people..prison for 5 years each at the least, but as usual it will be probation again until they kill someone..this town blows
Jim Beam says
What happened to Angelo Walsh and Alan Parker???
Sherry Epley says
Can you imagine what would have happened if they pulled out guns. . . thank goodness that was not an issue.
Realty Check says
Come on this is Florida, the kill someone and get away with it state, our justice system needs a huge overhaul. These scumbags have been in and out of the system for years, because we say we are broke and cannot house all the prisoners. Well maybe if we did not make prison a country club they would realize how crappy prison is and not want to go back. Screw their rights (prisoners) they gave them up the minute the committed and were convicted of a crime, no need for cable TV and other amenities. Build prisons like sky scrappers, fill them up, and give them powdered eggs and water for breakfast, a baloney sandwich for lunch and a meat and vegetable for diner. Stop the madness and stop coddling prisoners, treat them for what they have done, make them work on the side of the road or in a prison factory, not lay around and sleep or watch cable TV.
RaulTroche says
If the jails are overcrowded lets release those who are in there for victimless crimes and keep those who should be there locked up. Also rehab programs should be offered during and or after incarceration. 1Timothy 1:9&10- Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers and whatever else that is contrary to sound doctrine.
Pete says
Is this a picture of the younger generation ? Stupid, Uneducated, criminals !!! Thanks Florida .
Outsider says
One of the “Florida goons” was born in Denver, so you’re only half right. And I agree with A.S.F. that since guns “very easily could have been” used, but weren’t, is reason enough to ban them outright.
Anonymous says
Florida needs to create a three strike system like California has. Regardless of the felony………the third time you are convicted, you go away for life……NO EXCEPTIONS! This alone should scare enough of these career criminals into reality.
blondee says
@Anonymous, we already have the “three strike” law. Frankly I wouldn’t mind seeing it changed to the one-strike law!
boomer says
What happened to our country? the people have gone completely insane!!!!!
DMD Liberty says
Magnolia/Anonymous:…………. Still angry. I believe these two guys should be applauded. If thugsk new the community in which they operate wont stand for it, they will move on. My daddy taught me early: How to deal with a bully….you punch them in the mouth.
If you want to be American, you gotta rely on the system. Its better to have 1000 guilty man go free than an innocent man be jailed.
As for this protest stuff, they should be protesting against the states attorney office for its failure to prove its case…just like in Casey Anthony.
Magnolia / Anonymous…..enjoy your weekend. Its a great to be alive.