Giuseppe Verdone Jr. has a history of disturbingly creative crimes. Four years ago he was arrested and charged with setting off a “bottle bomb” at a bus stop at Bird of Paradise Drive and Biscayne Drive in the northern part of Palm Coast. He’d mixed toilet boil cleaner and aluminum foil in the bottle. By then he’d already been arrested–as an adult, anyway–for burglary only months before. He’d been expelled from school. He was also arrested four times as a juvenile.
Two years ago he was arrested for aggravated assault with a concealed weapon and violating his probation. He was sentenced to 21 months in state prison, ended up serving 10 and was released in October 2012. Less than a year later, he was arrested again on forgery charges. But none of his acts rival in violence and audacity the acts he’s now accused of: luring a Chinese-food delivery man to a fake address, assaulting him, kidnapping him, and throwing him from a vehicle on Palm Coast Parkway Saturday night (Nov. 2).
And that was just the beginning of what would be a spree of alleged crimes across three states until Verdone and an underage girl, possibly his girlfriend, were finally arrested.
Verdone, now 22, of 64 Bannerwood Lane in Palm Coast, is accused with the girl of attacking Ming Gong, 43, when Gong attempted to make a delivery of Chinese food to 78 Bayside Drive in Palm Coast–a vacant home.
Detectives, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office release, said Verdone and his companion called King’s Palace, which Gong owns, and placed a delivery order, directing Gong to the vacant home. When he got there, detectives said Verdone assaulted Gong, impersonated a police officer, handcuffed Gong and placed him in the back seat of his (that is, Gong’s) vehicle.
The assailants then pushed Gong from the moving vehicle on Palm Coast Parkway Westbound, near the Palm Coast Community Center. Gong suffered serious head injuries and had to be airlifted to the trauma unit at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, where he underwent surgery and is listed in serious condition.
Verdone and his companion headed north and are believed to have committed an armed robbery in St. Johns County later in the evening. Gong’s stolen vehicle and the two suspects were located early this morning in Liberty County, Ga., where a chase ensued. The stolen vehicle was stopped in Hardeeville, S.C., where the two suspects were arrested and are being held in the Jasper County Detention Center in Ridgeland, S.C.
Verdone and his accomplice are facing possible charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery, robbery and grand theft. The incident is still under active investigation and no formal charges have been filed locally at this time, but will be when the investigation is completed. The two also face charges in South Carolina, Georgia and St. Johns County. Verdone’s booking information in South Carolina does not include charges.
“The deputies who responded to the scene on Palm Coast Parkway worked with detectives to quickly identify a suspect,” Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre said. “Initially, they had to overcome a language barrier with the victim, but they worked through that challenge to put out a timely bulletin for the stolen vehicle. It was good, fast police work and I congratulate them.”
Outsider says
Ah, and yet another fine example of a scumbag from good old Calm Post. Why was this guy released from prison early? They seem to keep releasing them until they actually kill someone, or, as in this case, nearly kill someone.
Nancy N. says
Before everyone gets bent out of shape that the article says Verdone only served less than half his previous prison sentence (10 months out of 21) – that isn’t legally possible. Inmates in Florida have to serve BY LAW 85% of their sentences.
The state DOC database does in fact show that Verdone was released from state DOC custody 10.5 months after his sentencing date. However that database has a serious flaw in that it doesn’t show jail time prior to sentencing date that an inmate received credit for. To have been released after 10.5 months in state custody on a 21 month sentence, Verdone must have had at least 7.5 months of credit time from his pre-sentencing time in the county, because he legally would have to serve almost 18 months on a 21 month sentence to hit the legally required 85%.
A.S.F. says
Kidnapping, along with all the rest of the charges, should (hopefully) put Mr Verdone away for a long time. My sympathies to the victim and his family. I hope Mr Gong recovers fully from this terrible crime.
anonymous says
I knew when this guy got out there was gonna be problems. Wrist slap, after wrist slap. He’s just another reject that was allowed to evolve into what he has become. Can’t blame Flemming, can’t blame the Deputies can’t blame Manfre. This is starting to look like a State Attorney and Judge issue. It’s only going to get worse. These men, were once the kids in town just being “KIDS”. Now look at them no social skills, dumb criminals with addictions in a little town they could have helped to grow while they grew themselves. Instead selfishness, boredom and bad habits has this once beautiful community looking like a criminal free for all. I used to love this place after twenty five years here, think it’s time to pack it up. Too small here for this loser infestation. I feel bad for the victims. The world is bad but some of these things can be avoided otherwise why have law.
OhCool says
Bonnie and Clyde anyone? Lock them up for good.
rhweir says
Hand grenades in intersections, gang rape, and now this guy who tried to blow up a bus stop a few years ago and now he is accused of assaulting a restaurant owner who was just trying to make a living. So, what’s up with this? I have never seen so many angry senseless crimes in an area with this population. Senseless, angry, trug crime.
Anon says
Horrendous. Jobs are scarce, and food delivery is obviously not a safe job. The person who delivers pizza from the place we order from is a grandmother. I shudder to think. Prayers for Mr. Ming Gong, and his entire family. Seems like delivery drivers need dash cams and the body cams/ head band cams.
brian says
so why was this moron on the street? our courts are awful..hillbillies
Cynthia says
Thats terrible. Ive ordered from King Palace and have seen how hard Gong works. Very tragic. I hope this dude and his “ccompanion” rot in hell.
Geezer says
Mr. Gong had to come to Palm Coast to be shanghai’d while delivering fried rice.
Sloop John B says
They live among us. Scarey!
FlaglerLive says
Nancy, thank you for clarifying that.
Anonymous says
he did server his remainder in flagler county jail
anon says
Not to say this isn’t awful but everyone in palm coast who thinks “oh my god my town has turned into a criminal haven” this happens everywhere else in the world get used to it, You can’t lock everyone up forever the idea is reform not let’s put people in prison for life…
Which we are the worst at we lock people up longer than most places. For whatever reason we feel like things like this which are serious, or non violent crimes. All of you in palm coast need to get real you obviously do not understand anything other than “my rights are being violated OMG put them in jail for life. Juvenile in fl is more institutionalizing than county jail in Florida.
brian says
reform? these thugs and others like them need to be off the streets permanently..if this thug had been serving a 25 year sentence like he should have, this crime never happens and the girl, MAYBE has a shot at growing up!! too many apologists like you who think that reform is going to work..it does not..we have laws and sentences to keep the population safe but they are ignored by the thugs and the judges!! florida has 10/20/life..USE IT ALL THE TIME…PERIOD..