The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to Hammock Beach Resort on Sunday morning after receiving reports of criminal mischief on the golf course. The investigation revealed that onsite security surveillance captured four juveniles entering the parking garage and damaging a golf cart to remove a steering wheel lock on September 26 around midnight.
The juveniles then stole the golf cart and drove it onto the golf course, causing damage to the course itself, as well as running over and breaking 5 flag markers, 10 golf bag racks, 8 tee markers, and the golf cart itself. The total property damage was approximately $5,000.
From left: Stolen golf cart, destroyed property, and turf, still image from Hammock Beach surveillance of the 4 juveniles.
Photo Credit: FCSO FB
Deputies located a wallet on the golf course that belonged to a juvenile who was staying at the resort with his mother. Deputies made contact with the juvenile, his mother, his brother, and two friends. All four juveniles confessed to stealing the golf cart and damaging the property. All four juveniles were arrested and charged with Grand Theft and Criminal Mischief.
“These kids on vacation thought that they could wreak havoc and get away with it,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Unfortunately their joy ride turned into an expensive lesson on what happens when you purposefully damage someone else’s property. I understand all four boys were remorseful so I hope that they have learned a very valuable lesson.”
The juveniles were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where they were processed and turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in Daytona Beach. DJJ immediately released them to their legal guardian.