Richard Lawrence Knoblaugh, 38, has a lengthening criminal history in Flagler County, mostly on drug and driving charges. In February, he was arrested on a cocktail of similar charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On Monday, he led Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies on a long chase through vast swaths of Palm Coast, culminating in his crashing his vehicle in his own yard in the C-Section–and allegedly still attempting to elude his pursuers. A K-9 soon caught up with him and bit him on the calf severely enough that Knoblaugh was still recovering at Florida Hospital Flagler Tuesday, his latest jail booking still ahead.
Tanya L. Follmar, his 49-year-old housemate at 25 Coolidge Court, was also arrested. She faces a charge of possession of methamphetamines. She’d been sitting in the yard when Knoblaugh crashed his 2003 Chrysler SUV through lawn.
The incident developed at 5:20 p.m. when a deputy spotted Knoblaugh’s SUV going west on State Road 100, near Bulldog Drive in Palm Coast. Deputies had already been alerted to be on the lookout for Knoblaugh, who was a wanted fugitive. After Knoblaugh made a U-turn and a deputy recognized him, the deputy attempted to pull him over near Seminole Woods Boulevard. Knoblaugh kept going, ignoring the deputy’s use of a yelp and horn as well.
“Once the Chrysler reached the intersection of SR 100 and Memorial Medical Pkwy.,” Knoblaugh’s arrest report states, “the vehicle recklessly and evasively changed lanes between two vehicles, almost striking each vehicle. The Chrysler then accelerated to a higher rate of speed and turned northbound onto I-95.” The deputy de-activated the emergency lights and sirens and continued the pursuit within speed limits, which Knoblaugh also followed as he traveled north on I-95.
The Chrysler drove safely on I-95 until it neared the off ramp at Palm Coast Parkway, when it allegedly made a reckless, last-second lane change in front of a civilian to enter the off ramp, almost crashing into the vehicle in the process. “The Chrysler then continued north on the off ramp and once it reached the intersection at Palm Coast Pkwy., the vehicle struck stop sticks that were deployed by Corporal Meehan and Deputy Jackson.” The stop sticks punctured tires but Knoblaugh kept driving.
Other units joined the chase as it continued on Palm Coast Parkway past Colbert Lane, then Palm Harbor Parkway, where the the Chrysler slowed almost to a stop and all units activated their emergency overhead lights in a renewed attempt to conduct a traffic stop. But the Chrysler then turned right onto Palm Harbor then Coral Reef Ct., making numerous loops around Palm Harbor Parkway and Coral Reef for 10 to 15 minutes, plowing through more stop sticks. The tires were entirely shredded, and the vehicle continued to drive on its rims, reaching as far north as Matanzas High School before making another U-turn.
By then Flagler County Fire Flight, the emergency helicopter, was airborne, assisting in the pursuit.
Eventually the Chrysler was back to the Coral Reef neighborhood, turned south onto Cortes Ct. and east on Coolidge Ct. Once Knoblaugh reached 25 Coolidge, he got out of the SUV and fled on foot towards the residence. K-9 “Valor” and a deputy were right behind him. Knoblaugh allegedly slammed the door in their faces and tried to keep the deputies from forcing their way in, failed, and fled again as Valor went after him, catching and biting him.
Knoblaugh was arrested, treated at the scene then taken to Florida Hospital Flagler. His arrest report states he operated the Chrysler “in a reckless manner throughout the incident, displayed a disregard for the safety of the public, nearly struck multiple vehicles while making evasive maneuvers and as the Chrysler traveled on the public roadways; it caused damage to the road as the tireless wheels cut grooves into the asphalt. Richard also caused damage to a residence located at 53 Colonial Ct. as he crashed into the mailbox and light post in the yard causing approximately $1,600.00 in damage.”
The incident drew broad attention and concern from residents in the C-Section.
Knoblaugh was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest without violence, habitual traffic offender, and leaving the scene of a crash with unattended property damage (UTC #A6LPS5E). Richard’s identity was confirmed via his revoked Florida Driver’s License. His license had been revoked on Feb. 26, reflecting 11 suspensions from unpaid traffic fines and other violations. He was also arrested as a result of three active warrants and a violation of probation.
Jenn says
Will you now put this creep in prison before he kills an innocent person. What the hell are you waiting for?
Mark says
He’ll be back, again and again.
woody says
This is starting to be an everyday occurrence in flagler county.Good thing law enforcement is on point.
palmcoaster says
The 25 Coolidge owner of record bails out and harbors felons providing also with transportation to them. Just look up the courts and arrest public records as they speak for themselves. These drug addicted and dealing felons are let free on bail all the time by drug court to go back to the same illegal business to pay for their addiction creating a safety issue for us all law abiding residents. Also they work in association with another house in our block in C section as well…The traffic in and out day and night looks like a McDonald’s take out window…That same Chrysler SUV has been in our block as well as reported. Sheriff doing all they can to take them to jail then the court DA and judge, let them free again on bail back to the same activities. Meanwhile all of us honest families with children and elderly endure the danger 24-7.
wow says
How does a guy like this afford a house like that?
Dave says
How did the room mate catch a charge? Should get dropped, she wasn’t even involved ,did they have probable cause to search her? Wired, glad they got the bad guy tho
Denise Calderwood says
For the record, Mr. Knoblaugh and Ms. Follmar do not live at this residence. They are homeless! They were invited into the house by a person who is temporarily living at the residence, who by the way was also told by the homeowner to leave, so they could have a hot meal and a hot shower for the evening and they stayed until this happened. They have been at the property for the past two weeks. When concerned citizens tried to step in and help the elderly man who lives there to have them removed they were advised it is a civil matter and had to be handled by eviction. How can a homeless person be evicted from a residence they do not own or where they do not pay rent? They are squatters taking advantage of an elderly person who is in need and we all sit back and allow this to happen! Where are the services for the elderly and why do we allow them to be victimized by people like Mr. Knoblaugh and Ms. Follmar? The “Greatest Generation” needs help in Flagler County and this is a perfect example of the lack of services available for those who do not have the resources to pay for all those exclusive senior complexes that are opening up this year.
MannyHMo says
Lesson learned here – Don’t try to outrun a K-9, you can’t win. Well, his judgment is impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs probably. Gun control should start in here – Convicted felon with firearms.
Concerned resident says
Thug! Get him off the street.
Maureen Rodgers says
Ah, what is perceived to be the cherished “C” section. Ha. Ha. It’s everywhere! Whatever letter of the alphabet you live in Palm Coast, you’re at risk. Every section is vulnerable. No better sections.
Bc. says
Why is this looser even out of jail are the courts waiting for him to kill someone
GT says
I think the big question is how does this loser live in a nice house on a canal and he can’t pay his traffic fines?
tulip says
To GT Those people DO NOT OWN or RENT that house. Read the article and comments again.
thomas says
Why is so much trash deciding to come to Palm Coast? Could it be our bleeding heart judiciary?
Edith Campins says
Good doggie!
Ready says
There is trash all around in every town, city, state. Just read the local news in Daytona, St.Augie, Palatka, Deland. We are becoming this ways because this generation does not want to work for a living they want to talk on the cell phone, do FB and look for sell drugs, now then that is not all of them but the vast majority why you ask because it is easy!!
Trailer Bob says
OK, so tired of watching the police do their part, then the courts give everyone a second chance? Third…fourth…fifth?
Time to treat the scumbags like the scumbags they are. I feel for the deputies, as they are doing a good job but the courts keep letting these morons back onto the streets…where they DO NOT belong.
Forunna says
Great job by FCSO. I was in the line of traffic on the i95 offramp when he got stop stripped in front of me. I’d rather hey ran him into a pond to see if he can swim but glad they grabbed him with no innocents injured.
Dave says
If the courts keep letting these people off , it’s because the Cops are Over Policing, they are filling the courts with low level criminals that haven’t done enough wrong to gain a tough sentence . Insist your local police fight real crime and not waste resources on petty level crime. But hey it’s probably easier dealing with them than real criminals
hawkeye says
Too bad the canine didn’t bite him a lot worse,this jerk does not belong out on the street breathing the same air as the rest of us.
GT says
Tulip, the article yourself it says he crashed in his own front yard!
Dave says
So what was the original pull over for? Did they just try and pull him because they recognized him or did he break some kind of law?
Xbadge says
Ahh..the illustrious, entitled C section gets a dose of humble pie and reality. Yeah, I BET all the neighbors were looky looin..lol. A bunch of “that doesn’t happen in OUR neighborhood” comments echoing all month down there. Great job FCSO….great job K9. Nom nom nom…
James says
I sure hope Valor the K-9 has had all his shots. And was able to wash his mouth out.
ick.