Ardit Coma, a detective with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested in Ormond Beach on Thursday after allegedly fleeing and eluding law enforcement. The arrest reportedly occurred at around 8:00 am while Coma was driving to work on US-1 in his Ford Taurus. The car was an unmarked agency vehicle, the FCSO says. Under Florida statutes, it is a third degree felony to flee or elude a law enforcement officer.
Little information was offered by the FCSO about the nature of Coma’s arrest when they announced it had happened on Thursday. He was reportedly traveling 88 miles per hour in a part of US-1 where the speed limit was 55 miles per hour. Caleb Braun, a sergeant with the Ormond Beach Police Department, began to pursue Coma.
When Braun neared Coma, he reportedly activated his lights and siren in a police vehicle that was clearly marked. According to a report from the incident, Coma did not pull over and continued driving northbound on US-1. He was then said to have reached traffic, which he began weaving through in what was described as a clear attempt to flee the traffic stop.
Another OBPD officer deployed stop sticks in an attempt to puncture Coma’s tires, the report says. He reportedly drove around these stop sticks, and then stopped in a turn lane a bit further up the road. When questioned by Braun about the incident, Coma reportedly said he hadn’t noticed Braun behind him trying to pull him over. He was asked to step out of his vehicle and placed under arrest.
“Sheriff Rick Staly expects our employees to follow the law and when a deputy’s alleged actions rise to the level of an arrest, we act swiftly, as this type of behavior is not representative of the values or expectations of the Sheriff’s Office,” said FCSO Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge. “We also believe in the criminal justice system which provides Detective Coma due process just like anyone else.”
In accordance with FCSO policy, Coma was suspended without pay. For the duration of his suspension he will have no law enforcement authority. Coma was hired to the FCSO in June 2023, and has most recently worked within the agency’s Major Case Unit. The FCSO mentioned that Coma has received awards for his work, including a Life Saving Award in 2024.
Wonder what he was thinking and why no more details were given out about the situation? I have had him come to my house once for a minor situation. He was very professional.