Stephen Goldberg, 32, has a history with the law in Flagler County, starting with his first felony charge in 2005 for assault and battery, when he was 20. It did not stick. The following year he was charged with burglary and larceny. The charges didn’t stick: one was dropped, the other downgraded to trespassing. In 2007 he was found guilty of attempted burglary and attempted purchase of cocaine. That got him a nine-month prison sentence.
Since his release 10 years ago he made it through drug court and violated probation a couple of times but otherwise steered clear of the law.
Until today–a week after he was apparently told he could no longer have contact with his young son. (“I will stop at nothing to get you back,” he posted on his Facebook page on March 7.)
“I have a guy here that is swinging a knife,” Corporal Angela Camit tells colleagues on her COP radio in a relatively calm but alarmed voice. Camit is a member of the sheriff’s C.O.P., the Citizen Observer Patrol, and she was driving through Palm Coast’s E Section. “Can you please, can you please send somebody? I’m on Easthampton and Eric Drive.”
Units tell her they’re on their way. “Please,” she says, “he’s trying to open my door.” She describes him: bearded, barefooted, wearing a gray t-shirt. The knife was 20-inches long, and the man tried getting in the vehicle from various doors. He did not succeed. He then took off. Camit followed him to Egan Drive, where he allegedly again ran towards her with the knife.
“She does a pretty good job on the radio,” giving directions, Sheriff’s Cmdr. Mark Strobridge said.
Deputies arrived at the scene and apprehended the man, who turned out to be Goldberg. (His address when last booked at the county jail a year ago on the DUI charge was 186 Eric Drive, though he faced an eviction notice from 6 Rosedale Place dated last Dec. 19.) He was still being processed and interviewed by deputies and detectives at the Sheriff’s Office when the agency issued a press release about his arrest. His arrest affidavit was not yet available.
He was charged with attempted armed carjacking, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and armed trespassing.
“Had he approached a Sheriff’s deputy in this manner, it is likely that we would have had a different outcome,” Sheriff Rick Staly was quoted as saying in a release issued by his office this afternoon. The implication is that a deputy might have shot at the man. “Our C.O.P.s are invaluable volunteers who serve and help protect this community alongside our deputies. We will not tolerate anyone threatening harm to them or anyone else.” (The release noted that Goldberg’s past included an armed robbery charge. While that is accurate in what appears at the jail’s booking history, his court docket does not reflect that charge at any point. He was arrested on a DUI charge on March 17, 2016, but again, that charge is not reflected in his court history.)
The release included this note: “In light of this experience, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will reevaluate the equipment issued to C.O.P.s for their protection.”
Figures says
What equipment would you possibly give a non paid non sworn volunteer? She did the best job she could do her doors were locked as well as she used the radio for help… the only issues should be if she remains in harms way or retreats to a safer location. Do not put these hard working mostly late age volunteers In A situation where they are being told to use something such as pepper spray or something more intrusive such as a taser … this will not end well… please don’t say dumb stuff just to sound cool!! We already have enough of that In Politics
Mark says
Multiple charges and he continues to walk the streets. The justice system is broke!
Richard says
OMG! WTF is it that you people in the justice system don’t understand about holding people accountable for their bad choices who are constantly breaking the laws of our country? Oh, is it that you think they will turn over a new leaf, yeah right! Get a new light bulb and turn it on! Then maybe you will see better as to what you should be doing instead of slapping people on their wrists and sending them out only to return for a more violent crime. If I was in law enforcement today I’d be infuriated with how the justice system is working against law enforcement. Arrest them, slap their wrist, let them go, arrest them, slap their wrist, let them go. It’s just a worthless revolving door!
Concerned res says
Another hot head thug. Just lock’em up.
ConstantlyAmazed says
It always AMAZES ME these issues are evaluated after an incident.
Trailer Bob says
Again, many charges in the past and charges reduced and/or sentence reduced or dropped. When will society realize that some behavior is like an illness and will not just go away untreated. Violence is a mental illness and usually doesn’t go away without treatment or at least removal from the rest of the decent law abiding citizens.
just saying says
Thank you Corporal Camit. Talk about grace under pressure.
mark101 says
lock him him for a few years.
Stan says
I understand that these C.O.P. are ex police officers ,why aren’t these citizens carrying a concealed weapon for self protection? I’m sure each one of them has had proper training in their life time.
Just the truth says
Why can’t charges in the county stick and why do these scum bags keep getting breaks on crimes???????
r. macaulay says
GREAT JOB ANJELA!!!!!!! You did exactly as you were trained to do. It’s people like you that make me feel proud to have been one of you and that I feel so much safer knowing you and your colleagues are out there in our community.
to Stan: no….most if not all are not former law enforcement officers. Most are just concerned citizens looking out for the community.
palmcoaster says
My great appreciation to our COP’s and maybe they should be given a tool to defend themselves like Sheriff Staly suggest and whatever that “tool” will be, is justified!
Jenn says
What they should do is put a tracker on each vehicle in the event that if acop should go unconscious or get hurt they can locate them how about that. Many of you are missing the big picture here this man was upset about not seeing his child how would you feel if you could not see yours I’m not saying what he did was right but put yourself in his shoes first.
Dave says
Oh great , yea now we should arm C.O.P.’s?? This is crazy to imagine the c.o.p. people having weapons too.
JD TCI4 says
Angela, you gave me a few more Gray hairs. As I responded to your location, I just prayed the Dirt Bag would Not break the glass and physically harm you. I am very proud of you, you handled yourself as a top notch professional. I’m proud to know you and that you are safe.
Jerry
Bc. says
They are out there protecting us from the scum bags they should be armed
Thomas says
Wish we had a good judge!
Veteran says
Flagler has a better photographer than the state prison.
Jenn says
Why don’t you all stop complaining and look at how much as bond is. Also look at his mugshot it appears that he was under the influence of something. His bond is 110.000.00.