Rhode Island Teenager Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Ferrari Taken During Armed Home Invasion

On Tuesday, August 27, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 19-year-old male wanted in Rhode Island after he drove a stolen Ferrari into Flagler County, fled from deputies at dangerous speeds, and attempted to hide at a residence in Palm Coast.

At approximately noon, the FCSO Communications Center was notified by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office that a blue 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider, which had been stolen in Rhode Island days earlier following an armed home invasion, had fled from SJSO deputies who attempted a traffic stop and was fleeing into Flagler County. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Johnathan Costa, 19, of Cranston, Rhode Island, was wanted by the Cranston, RI Police Department and was reported to be armed and dangerous.

Deputies were dispatched to the county line, and they quickly located the vehicle after it entered Flagler County and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to stop, continuing to travel at speeds over 100 mph and narrowly avoiding colliding with multiple other vehicles on the roadway. With assistance from Florida Highway Patrol, Interstate 95 and US 1 were temporarily shut down and stop sticks were placed on multiple roadways in the vehicle’s direction of travel as deputies attempted to stop the vehicle.

As the vehicle fled through a school zone on Belle Terre Parkway, deputies reduced their speed and lost sight of the vehicle. After a visual was lost, patrol units in the area searched for the vehicle near its last known location with assistance from the Real Time Crime Center, Flagler County Fire Rescue's FireFlight helicopter, SJSO’s Main One helicopter, and FHP. Out of precaution, local schools including Wadsworth Elementary School and Buddy Taylor Middle School were briefly placed in a “secure hold” status.

Through investigative means, detectives determined that Costa had a friend who resided on Royal Palm Lane in Palm Coast. Believing that Costa could possibly be hiding there, a be-on-the-lookout was issued for the area. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Chief David Williams located the stolen vehicle behind the residence on Royal Palm Lane. Costa had attempted to hide the stolen vehicle by covering it with red and blue tarps. Unfortunately for him, the vehicle was still fully visible from the roadway.

Deputies set up a perimeter around the residence and made announcements to Costa to exit. Shortly after, Costa exited the residence and was secured without incident.

Costa was arrested as a Fugitive from Justice out of Rhode Island with Entering Dwelling with Felonious Intent, Using a Firearm when Committing a Crime of Violence, and Conspiracy charges in connection with the home invasion and vehicle theft. The investigation is still ongoing and local charges may be pending. Costa was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond.

“Time and time again, criminals make the mistake of entering Flagler County, but it’s not everyday they do it in a stolen Ferrari. So let this be a lesson… not even a Ferrari is fast enough to escape from the law,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.

“This criminal clearly had no regard for others as he traveled at extremely dangerous speeds, even through a school zone, and put everyone on the road around him in danger,” Sheriff Staly added. “Thankfully, our deputies and partners are well-trained and I’m glad he was captured before his joyride turned fatal. Frankly, he’s lucky to be behind bars in the Green Roof Inn instead of dead behind the wheel or facing even more serious charges."

Before Costa was apprehended, he was believed to be travelling with Logan Slezak, another suspect in the Rhode Island home invasion. However, detectives determined that Slezak was not present and was believed to still be in Rhode Island. Within hours of Costa’s arrest, Slezak turned himself in to the North Providence Police Department and he was taken into custody by the CPD shortly after.

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The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is under the direction of Sheriff Rick Staly. Serving the citizens of Flagler County, FL since 1917.

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