It’s not as if Jacob Reardon hadn’t been more than warned: just four months ago he was caught going 84 in a 40 in the middle of the day on Palm Coast Parkway, at the I-95 overpass. A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy pulled him over and cited him, costing him $356, or what he’d make over several days’ work at his restaurant job. But he was only cited, and Charles Cino, a traffic court hearing officer, withheld adjudication.
Sheriff Rick Staly did not go so easy on Reardon Thursday evening.
Staly wasn’t on one of his regular patrols, when he spends a shift cruising in his unmarked patrol car. He was driving east on State Road 100 in his Ford Explorer when a 2005 Hyundai—the Hyundai Reardon, 19, was driving when he was pulled over a few months ago–sped past him, weaving from lane to lane. Reardon stopped at the light just ahead of the I-95 intersection but Staly saw him nudge forward across the white line, according to Reardon’s arrest report.
As soon as the light turned green, Reardon accelerated, got onto I-95 and reportedly took off. “Over the next 4.5 miles,” his arrest report states, “the car was constantly weaving through heavy traffic, from the inside to the center and then the outside lane, going to whichever lane the driver could pass traffic.” Staly was not in pursuit so much as following Reardon, without flashing lights. The sheriff clocked Reardon going 112 “and the car was still accelerating and pulling away,” the report states.
Approaching the 288 mile marker, a mile south of Palm Coast Parkway, Reardon got stuck in traffic. Staly closed the gap, activated his lights and siren, and pulled Reardon over.
A body camera caught the scene. The sheriff, walking up to the passenger side window of the car, his right hand wrapped around his holstered weapon, tells Reardon to step outside the car. (By then Staly already knew the driver’s name, referring to him by his first name.) A deputy pats down Reardon for weapons.
Body Cam Video of Staly’s Arrest of Reardon
“So Jacob, you flew by me on 100, you’re weaving in and out of traffic, going over 110 miles an hour up the interstate, weaving in and out of traffic,” Staly told Reardon, asking him for a good reason why.
“There’s no excuse but I’m just trying to get home to let my dogs out,” Reardon said. “I’ve been working all day, I worked a double at Hijacker’s,” the restaurant at the Flagler County Executive Airport. Reardon lives on Banton Place in Palm Coast. “And my parents left today, they going to California, that’s why I was trying to get home.”
“You’re willing to risk your life or someone else’s life driving like that?” the sheriff asked. At that point, Reardon doesn’t know that he’s dealing with the sheriff.
“I’m sorry,” Reardon says. When Staly tells him the only reason he caught up with him was because of slower traffic, Reardon says, “honestly, I didn’t even know that was you.”
“Tell me one good reason why I shouldn’t charge you with reckless driving and put you in jail,” Staly
Reardon hesitates, looks at Staly, shrugs and says, “honestly you should but, I’m not saying you should.” He also says he’s been arrested before, “for pot.” But when Staly asks him whether he’d find anything illegal in the car, Reardon says nothing would be found there. That proved not necessarily to be the case as a deputy, doing an inventory of the car, allegedly found the remains of a marijuana joint. Staly then tells Deputy Philip Conway to arrest Reardon.
Reardon is surprised. “For what?” he asks.
“Reckless driving. That’s an arrestable charge in Florida. This kind of speed, this heavy traffic, weaving out, that’s reckless driving, buddy,” Staly tells him. But Reardon is eminently cooperative and courteous throughout. He asks a few questions about the process ahead. Staly tells him he can post bond and avoid spending the night in jail, or see a judge in the morning.
“And by the way, you know who I am?” Staly asks him.
“No, sir, I don’t.”
“I’m the sheriff,” Staly said with emphasis. “You’re getting arrested by the sheriff for that kind of driving.”
As Reardon is settled into the back of a patrol car, the inventory of his car proceeds, and the pot roach is found.
“I figured we’d find something there,” Staly said. So Reardon was charged for possession of pot under 20 gram—nothing criminal in half the states, but still a misdemeanor in Florida.
He bonded out this morning.
Staly’s office issued a release this morning, where Staly is quoted as saying: “Everyone is busy and distracted with holiday shopping and our roads are extra busy this time of year. Let this be a lesson. We will not allow you to endanger your life or endanger other lives by being stupid.” The alternative, he said, is jail.
rst says
I love it. What a role model Sheriff Staly is.
Veteran says
I drive to Jax often and this type of driving is a common occurrence. I always say to myself “where are the cops”. Great job Sheriff.
Dave says
Why in the world did he search his car with no probable cause!!?? This is the problem with cops these days, either areest him for wreckless driving or give him a ticket. once again a citizens rights are trampled. And people will say he deserves it for speeding , but thats not the point
retired says
Dave, you dont need probable cause to ‘inventory the contents of a vehicle’ thats being towed ‘after’ the driver has been arrested on other charges, i.e. reckless driving. so, no civil rights violated. So after actually knowing the law, whats your point again? i wonder how you would feel if you got rear-ended at 112mph on your way home from work.
BlueJammer says
Priceless! Absolutely priceless! Thank you, Sheriff Staly!
hawkeye says
so glad to see one of these jackasses get arrested, I drive on 95 every day and see people driving well over 100 miles an hour all the time and many times they are texting while driving that fast.
Linze says
Thank you sheriff, wish there were more of you on the roads of Palm Coast
Thanks for having a deputy working. Belletare lately
Steve Vanne says
Good point retired guy. This kid did not learn anything being caught the first time. Sooner or later he’ll kill someone.
rst says
@retired: Well said. No rights were violated here. (search incident to lawful arrest, or inventory search – whatever fits the bill)…
Sherry says
Thank you to all hard working men and women in uniform who protect us every day! Unfortunately, I see that kind of reckless driving on I95 every time I drive on it. We need more enforcement of our laws. . . especially those that keep us safe.
Thank you also to “retired”. . . well said and an excellent point!
Happy Holidays All!
EJR says
Sounds like this young HIGHjacker is gonna have a lot of poo poo to clean up when he finally get home. haha
gmath55 says
Maybe a candidate for NASCAR. He will be racing again because you have to get close to 12 points and/or license revoked before you learn.
The Geode says
“I’m the sheriff,” Staly said with emphasis. “You’re getting arrested by the sheriff for that kind of driving.” BFD …does it MATTER who is arresting you?
Nãoimporta says
Awesome!!! There are a bunch more out there Sir Sheriff
Violet says
Yes, Dave, I totally agree with retired. I’ve seen this kid, or others just like him, weaving and speeding, just waiting for a horrible accident to happen. Our Sheriff is the best I’ve ever seen!! I love what he and his officers are doing!! You guys (and gals) rock!!!! Keep safe, keeping us safe!! Thank you.
Violet says
I did want to add that at least Mr. Reardon was polite. That says something…..stoned, maybe, but polite!
Anonymous says
It’s called entrapment
MannyHMo says
This young driver should know that it’s not just ticket and $$$ involved here. He should see actual car accidents or at least in pictures. Morgue and hospitals are good learning centers for these cases.
Peaches McGee says
LEO’s need to apply the law effectively. There’s a law for speeding 30 mph over the posted limit or for doubling the posted limit, both felonies. Stop slapping this punks on the wirst.
PC Outlaw says
We can always use bus drivers in this town
Bc. says
This kid needs to lose his driver license for at least 6 month maybe then he will drive responsible he can ride his bike to work. T
Richard says
Dave, are you really serious in regards to your post? If you are then you need to educate yourself more on what a law enforcement officer can and cannot do in different situations versus just spouting about the alleged “injustice”.
Thomas says
Good job, Sheriff Staly.
Horrible job by Judge Cino.
Jenn says
Great job to the sheriff. The reason if you read the whole story they searched his vehicle is because he was arrested before for having drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. I’m glad he got arrested before he killed somebody.
Jenn says
Okay after watching the video they never read him his rights after he was cuffed and put in the police car. Your rights are read to you either when you’re being cussed or placed in the police car. Why was he not read his rights?
can'tfoolme says
Time for this kid to grow up and become a responsible driver – he’s old enough to know better! Guess his parents will have to give him one more spanking for his naughty behavior. Thank you, Sheriff Staly, for all the lives that very well could have been endangered!
Virginia says
I believe in Virginia its still a mandatory one day in jail for every mile per hour over 90
usually that makes you slow down some plus a hefty fine.
just me says
@ Anonymous says:
December 23, 2017 at 2:11 am
It’s called entrapment
JUST how the HELL did the Sheriff entrap this dumb ass into going 112 MPH on I95??????
Billy Bob says
@Jenn, what are you talking about when you say his rights weren’t read to him? Miranda warning applies when two conditions are met: a person is in police custody and they are about to be questioned in reference to a crime of which they are suspected of committing. Just because the cuffs go on doesn’t mean they have to be read Miranda warning.
Sickofit says
He speeds thru our neighborhood and down belle Terre. I’ve seen it. He shouldn’t have any rights. As citizens of Palm Coast he has blantenly abused our rights! Endangered us all.
Realist says
I did not vote for Staly but I am glad he won. I will support him for his next run. he is doing a great job.
Jenn says
At Billy Bob when they say you’re under arrest they need to read you your rights educate yourself
Anonymous says
Miranda applies to custodial interrogations. It doesn’t have to be read upon arrest. I’ll send you the case law Jenn. Educate yourself.
Really says
@Anonymous, entrapment heck the only reason he caught up to him was traffic. Lolol The thorn in your side about THE Sheriff is humurous,ungrounded, pointless,and outright laughable. Hope you believe your words cuz I’m thinking NOT.
ASF says
Note to Jacob–You’ll have a lot more $$ in your pockets if you stopped using recreational drugs. And you might even be able to work a few less hours to support yourself if you clean up your act and adopt healthier personal habits.
Sherry says
Looks like they should have quoted the guy his Miranda rights when the cuffs went on. . . perhaps they did but it just wasn’t caught on the video? Sure hope that the case.
https://resources.lawinfo.com/criminal-defense/when-must-the-police-read-me-my-miranda-right.html
bigman says
Great job, Sheriff! I have so much confidence in you.
Billy Bob says
You’re completely wrong. Take it from someone who works in law enforcement. I wouldn’t have corrected you if I didn’t know what I was talking about. Miranda rights protect someone from incriminating themselves during questioning. If you don’t believe me, go ask a deputy. Educate yourself.
Billy Bob says
@Jenn, you watch too much television.
Shark says
Staly – Get a life !!!!!!
Whatever says
Great job by our sheriff ! It’s so nice to see the reckless drivers getting what they deserve before they kill someone. Thank you to everyone at the FCSO command staff, deputies, corrections officers, COP’s and all the other staff. Be SAFE🎄
Jenn says
Billy Bob where are you at officer because apparently you don’t do your job the right way.
This is coming from somebody who has been in law enforcement 15 years
Trailer Bob says
“What about reading him his rights?” The moron already knows his rights. Would some of you be saying the same thing if he killed someone you loved to death? The only wrong person in this story is the punk driving over 100 MPH on the road.
Concerned Citizen says
Why are people defending this grown man who should know better by now?
I have seen him drive reckless all over town and he has cut me off a few times. It’s not his first rodeo doing this.
He was observed breaking the law by a sworn LEO who did his job and took him into custody. Maybe if the guy wasn’t speeding and driving like an ass the cuffs would have never gone on. Also he previously got a break by only getting a ticket. The he chose to say FU to the SO by doing it again.
You choose to break the law once you accelerate over the posted speed limit. And you choose to break the law by driving reckless. And yes it endangers lives. I was almost hit Friday by someone texting. Thankfully I was paying attention. We just had another fatality on US 1 so lets start paying more attention behind the wheel !!
I choose to feel sorry for the crash victims out there that are hurt by drivers like this dude. I see no reason to show sympathy for being an ass and making stupid choices. If you don’t value your life then keep off the roads so you don’t needlessly take someone else’s.
Maybe next time they will pop him on a DUI and something more serious before he hurts someone. Then the judges can sentence properly and get him off the streets.
Billy Bob says
Jenn, if you were in law enforcement, you’d know better. Where are you a cop? 15 years and you read Miranda every time you put cuffs on someone?
You can advise someone of their Miranda rights without even arresting them if it’s a custodial interview. That goes back to questioning, which didn’t happen here.
The Sheriff saw the guy driving recklessly. The crime was committed in his presence. Hence, a warrantless arrest and no need to question him; therefore no Miranda is necessary.
Look up the definition of Miranda; if you were a cop, you’d know all this.
FlaglerBear says
Someone suggested Sheriff Staley should “get a life.” Does that mean he should look the other way when he sees someone driving over 100mph? Wrong! He’s doing his job! How many more fatalities do you think Flagler County would have without this kind of enforcement. Some people just don’t get it!
palmcoaster says
Merry Christmas to all in our Sheriff Department and please be safe out there while risking your lives for us all day in and day out! Thank you Sheriff Staly for showing by example what is good work while occasionally patrolling yourself..
Anonymous says
Do something more than catch speeders! Get those who are impared DRUGS AND ALCOHOL off the streets!!! They are just as dangerous as some fool like this. What is the deal of snooping in the window without probable cause—the guy was speeding. Seems to me his license should be suspended as the prior incident should have required him to be charged with a misdemeanor and there should have been sanctions and points surely are at suspension level.
Bc. says
Why am I the only one that says take his lincence from him that has got to hurt a kid when he can’t drive 6-12 months take it away then maybe he will realize when he gets it back it’s a privilege to drive and not a rite just maybe he will grow up and drive responsible before he gets killed on the road and a innocent person with him. And driving school also. Cause this kid will die in a crash sure as hell
RPA says
Only thing more dangerous than one car driving and weaving over one hundred miles per hour is two cars going over a hundread miles per hour. What were you thinking Sheriff ? It sure was not public safety. What is your high speed chase policy? You both are lucky ( and the other people on the highway) nothing happened. The two of you could have caused a major accident. I am at a loss for words at how wrong this was.
palmcoaster says
This arrest should be a good warning sign to all these high speed drivers in Palm Coast streets with total disregard for our residents, pets and wildlife safety.
We citizens will call law enforcement on them …so be aware that we all work with law enforcement to stop you as we are tired of it! High speed and specially while DUI is deadly!
Jenn says
Billy Bob I did not say I was a cop. You said you were one. The info I got was from a officer in Palm coast. I was just pointing out something. He did wrong and he got caught and he went to jail end of story.
Just sayin' says
Meanwhile most of the older crowd that posted comments here commending his arrest speeds like mofo’s but just hasn’t been caught. If you say you don’t speed your a liar. 71 mph is speeding as much as 112 mph is. ITS ALL UNLAWFUL!
I have personally witnessed PLENTY of the older crowd doing burnouts and pulls coming out of that Woody’s car show on Wednesdays.
Why not post patrols there…oh yeah cause that’s ok.
Anonymous says
When I was in my late teens, I had a sporty car and succumbed to the occasional street race every once in a while. That ended when an off-duty cop in civilian clothes, driving a civilian vehicle, threatened to arrest me for trying to catch up to him. I was at a red light on PC Parkway minding my own business when a brand new Chrysler pulled up next to me. The driver was an overweight white guy who appeared to be in his early sixties. He had his wife in the passenger seat, and when I looked over to them he gave me a dirty look for no reason and then floored his gas pedal once the light turned green. He sped up to 60 mph almost instantly and I thought “Damn this guy really wants to race” so I took the bait. I sped up to about 65 mph until I was side-by-side with him. Then he sped up to around 80 mph and went almost double the speed limit, so I sped up as well and was able to get about one foot ahead of his car before back slowing back down to the speed limit and letting him speed past me. At the next red light, I looked over to him again, and he flashed a badge and yelled “IF I EVER SEE YOU DRIVING LIKE THAT AGAIN I WILL ARREST YOU!” At this point I was really confused, but obviously I decided to keep my mouth shut and leave it alone. When the light turned green, he flew off again going at least 20 mph over the speed limit while I stayed well behind him.
Anonymous says
I am not sympathizing with the kid, he definitely brought this on himself, but if he was telling the truth then I do feel bad for the dogs.
Billy Bob says
Jenn, I explained what you pointed out was erroneous. I’m fully competent in my profession.
Jenn says
Billy Bob it does not appear so.
Richard says
For those who are stating that his license should be taken away for a specified amount of time, do you really think that will deter and prevent him from driving a car during that period of time? It just means that when he gets caught again driving without a license his citation will cost him more. Or possibly even more severe penalties depending on who else is involved. What he needs is to hit him in his wallet with a VERY expensive fine PLUS jail time of one year or more where he can ponder about his lifestyle and why he is sitting in jail wasting his life away. While there he won’t be out on the roads endangering other people.
Dave says
What is the high speed chase policy in florida? Seems dangerous for civilians if cops are chasing cars at high speeds when civilians are present
Jamibad says
@ RPA, Please reread the article, the sheriff only caught up to him after the kid got stuck in traffic and had to slow down! The Sheriff only monitored the kid as he followed him up the interstate, he only initiated his siren and lights after the traffic got thick and the kid couldn’t go anywhere, where as the sheriff caught up to him and pulled him over!
Great job Sheriff, I remember the day you came by the house and introduced yourself when you were running for the position, I also voted for you after that, glad I did! Kudo’s to you and all the members of the department! great job your doing!!
Really says
Irresponsible cant even get thru CC/probation. Yank his license