PALM COAST – A fugitive from Colorado was arrested in Palm Coast Monday night, according to a new release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. 40 year-old Matthew Ko was wanted in El Paso County, CO on check forgery charges.
Ko was stopped by a FCSO deputy for reportedly running a red light to turn onto Palm Coast Pkwy on Monday, and was also said to have a non-working headlight. The traffic stop concluded that Ko was also without a valid driver’s license, the FCSO says.
Naturally, running Ko’s name through the system also brought up his status as a fugitive with nationwide extradition. The FCSO’s Communications Center confirmed the warrant, and Ko was arrested at the scene of the traffic stop. He was then booked into the county jail, on charges of being a fugitive from justice and driving without a license, an additional misdemeanor on top of his existing felony charge. He is being held in Flagler County on no bond until he can be extradited back out west to El Paso County.
“If you think you can hide out in Flagler County, think again,” Sheriff Rick Staly said about the arrest. “We have eyes everywhere and work closely with other agencies to make sure every criminal, no matter where they come from, is quickly taken off the streets. We will find you. Great job by Deputy [Christian] Harrison for being proactive.”
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.