Early Friday afternoon, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies got a report of a Chevrolet stolen from a Beechwood Lane address in Palm Coast. Later that night, deputies spotted the Chevrolet in the parking lot of AdventHealth Palm Coast (the former Florida Hospital Flagler), then saw its driver get in the car and start it.
Several patrol cars swarmed the Chevrolet, emergency lights blazing.
But Yuli Ilchenko, a 29, a resident of Prescott Lane, who was at the wheel of the car, allegedly took off, leading deputies on a vehicle and a foot chase through the hospital’s grounds before being apprehended–by being Tased twice.
Ilchenko initially sped south “and demonstrated wanton disregard for any citizens that would have been entering and leaving the hospital’s emergency entrance, as well as the vehicles that were parked in the entrance area,” his arrest report states. He fled west on Hospital Drive, took a right on Memorial Medical Parkway, going south, lost control, drove against northbound traffic, struck a curb and came to a stop.
Ilchenko then ran out and fled on foot going west. A deputy, Shane Meehan, closed in on him, yelling out verbal commands to stop. Ilchenko responded by throwing a hat at the deputy. That didn’t stop Meehan from catching up to him and tackling him to the ground. Ilchenko allegedly struck Meehan in the shoulder and tried to writhe away from him, prompting the deputy to punch him on the left side of the head, according to the Meehan’s account. Two other deputies arrived and tried to secure Ilchenko, but it wasn’t before one of them fired two Taser stunts at Ilchenko’s back that he relented.
Ilchenko was read his rights and agreed to explain why he’d run: he said he’d rented the vehicle from “an unknown male” at the Flagler County Public Library at 6 that evening and was to use it for an hour or two. He said he looked for the unknown man to return the car but couldn’t find him. He ran, he said, because he knew something was wrong, according to his arrest report.
The night wasn’t over for Ilchenko. After he was placed under arrest, a deputy drove him to the county jail, and there, intake deputies found a pill in his wallet that their analysis showed to be Oxycodone. In the patrol vehicle, he’d left behind a rolled elastic band and a hypodermic needle. Ilchenko said he’d gotten the pill and the elastic band from a friend he’d just been visiting at the hospital.
He was charged with four felonies and two misdemeanors, including grand theft and resisting an officer with violence. He remains at the Flagler County jail on $12,500 bond.
Twice before Ilchenko was arrested on felony charges, and twice had the charges reduced to misdemeanors.
hawkeye says
Its about time for him to do some hard time in prison,his past record ,in combination with this episode ,speaks for itself.He doesnt need to be breathing the same air as the rest of us.
lnzc says
Reduce charges again, maybe worse next time
Richard says
Those “misdemeanors” are really working to rehabilitate chronic criminals, Eh! Repeat offenders just don’t get “God” miraculously and then end up a changed person. Get it? If not then maybe those that are handing out these light sentences need to be replaced or get a clue.
Minkman says
Palm Coast is a rehab area for all the criminals from Jacksonville and Orlando, just keeps getting worse everyday.
Anonymous says
This guy is a serious addict who he needs serious help. Spending the next two or three years in prison may do him some good, but I hope he does not lose a decade of his life over this. Yuliy has some real issues that he needs to come to terms with and overcome, but underneath the addiction he really is a good person, and I still have hope that one day he will finally grow up and put himself on the right track.
Concerned Citizen says
If our judical system would do it’s job and stop pleaing cases on repeat offenders. Pleas and probation are for first time offenders on minor offenses that have a chance and are willing to turn things around.
It also seems that the bond schedule in this county is ridiculously low. I keep seeing really low bonds for serious and multiple charges. Come on judges what’s the point in law enforcement locking people up just to bond out in 24 hours?
Vinnie says
Damn Russkies……..Close the borders NOW
BUILD THE WALL
Trailer Bob says
It amazes me how criminals get their charges dropped or reduce, then continue on with their bad habits. This loser needs time in prison to wake him up.
A Concerned Observer says
Yeah, I guess it Could have happened that way (Mr. Ilchenko’s explanation of how it happened) , but I doubt it. Another outstanding example of Florida’s infamous “Catch and Release” Criminal Justice System. Our LEO’s catch and deliver them to the Green Roof Inn where they are often released on minimal bail before the LEO’s shift is done. I wonder what he’ll get this time?
Me says
There sure are a lot of repeat offenders in Flagler County, is that because the court system is too lenient on them, sure seems that way.
Nanya says
You guys should just go to war with us instead of attacking pook brown countries then we can finally settle it once and for all :D
palmcoaster says
What happens if during our hero Sheriff Investigator Mr, Meehan was chasing him Ilchenko runs someone and kills the innocent person? These druggies are time bombs among us. Thank you Mr, Meehan for catching one more of them and… please legislators change the Florida catch and release laws?
When is he going to be deported just to be fair? https://flaglerlive.com/21881/target-robbery-palm-coast/
ASF says
He “rented” the car from a homeless person at the Flagler County Library? The wooded area of the Library is a hotbed that should be dealt with NOW.