A Florida man has been arrested for a stabbing that happened in January, and subsequent narcotics charges.
According to deputies, on January 10, 2023, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence off County Road 13 in Bunnell about a stabbing.
When deputies arrived, the victim said that two ‘known males’ had broken into the residence, and an altercation ensued. During the altercation, the victim was stabbed with a pocketknife by a man who was later determined to be Richard Westervelt.
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On February 7, 2023, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit obtained a felony warrant for the arrest of Richard Westervelt for Burglary While Armed, Burglary with Assault or Battery, and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.
In addition to the new charges, Westervelt was also classified as a Prison Releasee Reoffender (PRR) which carries a penalty enhancement.
Through investigative efforts of the FCSO Major Case Unit, FCSO PACE Unit, and FCSO Real Time Crime Center, it was determined that Westervelt was located at a residence in Ormond Beach.
On Thursday, February 16, 2023, the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Team located Westervelt at the residence.
Westervelt fled from deputies on a bicycle and later fled on foot, but was taken into custody shortly after when he was stopped with a Taser.
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“Westervelt was carrying a fanny pack with a large amount of narcotics when he fled from Volusia deputies,” said FCSO.
Westervelt was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail on his Flagler County warrant as well as the following charges from VSO: Trafficking Methamphetamine (28-200 grams), Trafficking Fentanyl (4-14 grams), Possession of Suboxone, Possession of Cannabis over 20 Grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.
“Outstanding work by our deputies and the Real Time Crime Center resulting in the arrest of a prison releasee re-offender,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Another dirtbag thought he could hide in a nearby county and avoid arrest, but he learned the hard way about the long-arm reach of the law. A big thank you to the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in taking him into custody and getting his poison off the streets too.”
Westervelt is being held at the VCBJ with no bond and will be returned to Flagler County in the near future.
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