Rico Ransom had reason to let out an expletive when he saw the blue lights of a cop car in his rear-view mirror as he drove a stolen car on Palm Coast Parkway Thursday evening. Ransom is only 21, but he has a long history of arrests and felony convictions, among them a conviction for grand theft auto two years ago, and an armed carjacking charge three years ago.
The carjacking charge was dropped, but he was in jail on the grand theft conviction until a few months ago. And he’s since been charged with another in a string of domestic violence and assault charges. He was out on bond on that one when he saw the blue lights in the mirror.
Ransom was driving a black Honda with an obstructed license plate and a cracked taillight when a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy activated his patrol car’s emergency lights, going west on Palm Coast Parkway at 7:30 p.m. Within moments the deputy learned that the tag had been reported stolen out of St. Johns County, and later learned that the Honda had been reported stolen out of Volusia. The Honda began to swerve aggressively through traffic, according to the deputy’s report, apparently trying to elude the cop, who followed until the intersection with Belle Terre Parkway. At that point the deputy got orders to stop the pursuit, in accordance with a policy that places public safety ahead of catching suspects when the suspects are not believed to be involved in a violent crime.
The Honda sped off, ran a red light at Palm Coast Parkway and Pine Lakes Parkway, then crashed in the woods at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Palm Coast Parkway. Alexis Jackson, a 19-year-old, emerged from the woods. After initially being hesitant to speak to cops, she identified the driver of the vehicle as Rico Ransom Jr., her boyfriend of five months.
Ransom had just picked her up from her home in the Hammock, she explained, and the two were on their way to the AT&T store when the traffic stop was attempted. At that point Ransom exclaimed, “oh shit,” and began to flee, Jackson said. After the crash he climbed over his girlfriend to get out of the vehicle and ran into the woods. She initially went with him but was unable to keep up with him, so she doubled back and decided to speak with cops. She told them she’d never seen the Honda before since the couple usually uses her car, but they didn’t have access to her car on Thursday. Jackson said she didn’t know the Honda had been stolen.
By then a perimeter was set up, Flagler County Fire Flight, the emergency helicopter, was assisting the search from overhead, K-9s sniffed around on the ground, but Ransom was not found. John’s Towing removed the crashed Honda from the wood-line. The Sheriff’s Office is still searching for Ransom.
If you have any information on the location of Rico Ransom Jr., please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 or call Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous. You could be eligible for a reward.
AUDIE V COLON says
Nail his young arse. There needs to be serious consequences and zero tolerance going forward.
Just me says
Why is he out work a rap sheet like his? What is wrong work the system? He could have killed an innocent person. Lock him up in prison not there green roof inn.
Richard says
So much for rehabilitation while incarcerated! SMH This time lock him up and don’t let him out unless he is on a retractable leash like a dog. It’s obvious that he comes from a socialist mentality where he expects everything comes free. Not on this POTUS watch!
Stretchem says
As Sonny used to say… Rico! Party’s over.
Rick Khan says
Lock your homes, your sheds, and your vehicles!! There are CRAZY people in Palm Coast who will steal anything! Crime Wave, NO! Just people who want to steal instead work for a living!
Hayride says
19 years old and repeat offender, where the heck is mommy and daddy, shouldnt they have him on curfew, and confined to the house.
Hes a little young to be doing this much trouble! And s repetitive offender, this behavior will never end.. hes a punk, lock ’em up
LawAbidingCitizen says
Shame on these low life bondsman for putting up the money to bond this POS out of jail. This kid will get caught eventually and get yet another slap on the wrist
Laurie says
And WHY is he out of jail? What a waste of a human flesh.
Brian says
….And yet another waste-of-oxygen Palm Coast miscreant. “I ain’t do nuffin.”
Jolene R Dehart says
Come on flagler law, WTF? And does the young lady mentioned not have any family or others who have any concern at all for her life, future, and general well being to discuss with her the choices she’s making. A “boyfriend” like this is a ticket to jail and/or The cemetery. Surely she can do better.
woody says
Result of slaps on the wrist all dem times.
Really says
Outta control and dont care
atilla says
At 21 and all the priors why in hell is he still around terrorizing and endangering the people. What does it to keep him locked up murder? He’s a scum bag that will never contribute to society.
Anonymous says
Lock his ass up in prison not Flagler green roof inn.
Concerned Citizen says
Yet again another product of light sentencing.
Light jail sentences and probation only do someone good when they decide they want to change. This wannabe tough guy has no respect for himself or society.
The next judge that gets this guy in court needs to sentence him to some hard time. Again I will say I could care less how crowded court dockets and jail/prisons are. Judges and DA’s need to do their jobs.
This guy has a string of serious and violent charges. He just showed no care for his “girlfriend”. He needs to be stopped before he kills someone.
hawkeye says
“He has a long history of arrests and felony convictions” Why is this guy out on the streets? Why isnt he in jail ,where he belongs?
Bc. says
What the hell is this dirt bag doing out of jail armed carjacking and they dropped the charge. Well now maybe he will get a good amount of time in jail before he kills someone
FlaglerBear says
If you really want to be entertained, check out his Facebook page. Make sure to keep your barf bags handy. The scary part is: He’s got no shortage of friends to stay with in his “time of need.”
Anonymous says
You can’t fix stupid! He is a career criminal of serious crime and should be in jail for 30 or more years!
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
One more to go, buddy. Three strikes and you’re OUT!
Black Power says
White peoples can not help a black man grow only tear him down white supremacy is the reason he was in this position from bombing black wallstreet in 1969 Tulsa Oklahoma to mass incarceration under bill Clinton if white peoples let black peoples build with out harassing us out of DNA jealousy then imagine how many black presidents we would have who wana see America in a better light instead turning to the streets we need more opportunity for our black youth because look at the economy of we don’t participate America economic will collapse better get together and think of a plan because I don’t wana see black men doing this eaither that’s where we both agree #EndBlackOnBlackCrime
Outsider says
Ms. Jackson, please wise up before you end up pregnant and supporting a child yourself, while spending Father’s Day in the visitation room of a federal prison.
Lnzcha says
Way to go judge,let him off again
Punk needs a long time in prison
Trailer Bob says
Do any judges or politicians reads the peoples comments here? Do you care about how those who elect you and/or pay your salaries feel. We are telling you day after day how we feel. When I was young, if you did what this punk did you would be in prison for at least a couple of years. This punk runs free and at some point will cause great harm to innocent people. Everyone in the country is protesting one thing or another. Maybe it is time for Flagler County residents to make their concerns and demands known. Enough is enough. Election time is around the corner. Vote then all out and put in Conservative politicians who will end this crap once and for all. I got into trouble as a youth, and if it was then, like it is now, I would still be getting in trouble. Why do we never hear from our elected officials on these issues? Because once they are elected the could care less about the rest of us. VOTE THEM ALL OUT.
Steve Ward says
White Supremacy got nothing to do w/it
Anonymous says
Blacks have just as much, if not more, opportunity as whites. This is not a race issue, this is an issue of a young man choosing to be a thug and being held accountable. If a white vehicle had been used would your comment Black Power be any different?
We had 8 years of a black President and look what it got us! We have more debt and crime and a disfunctional society. Time to bring back God, morals, values and make America Great again!
Agkistrodon says
He was in the position HE was in because HE chose to be a criminal. No White Supremacy had a thing to do with it. That is simply an excuse.
Anonymous says
Educate yourself black power.
Oh Please says
Anonymous, the former president has nothing to do with peoples crimes. Why do you blame everything on him? The current POTUS is not promoting God, morals, values or Making America Great again. I work in corporate America and blacks do not have the same or as many opportunities as others. You cannot speak on the experience of another. Whether or not he was black or white he needs to be rehabilitated. Our former president could have not created a dysfunctional society in 8 years, that takes decades, so perhaps you should educate yourself.
Born and Raised Here says
This guy just got release from jail for stealing a car, and he turns around and steals another car. I thought prison was for rehabilitation, and discipline.
Really says
YEH, Rehab in the form of a road crew chain gang
Anonymous says
JUST PUT THIS GUY AWAY, ALREADY!
Really says
Hey Rico the hounds are on your trail.Soon to be in the prison of your own devise. Freedom as ya know it….