Rhode Island home invasion, stolen Ferrari suspect arrested in Florida
BUNNELL, FL (WLNE) — A Rhode Island teenager was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly stole a Ferrari in Cranston, fled from Rhode Island and Connecticut State Police and arrived in Palm Coast, Florida.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Johnathan Costa, 19, was arrested by Flagler County Sheriff personnel as a fugitive from justice out of Rhode Island.
He is charged with entering dwelling with felonious intent, using a firearm when committing a crime of violence and conspiracy charges in connection with an August 24 home invasion and vehicle theft in Cranston.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was notified on Tuesday at noon that the stolen blue 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider had been involved in a chase with St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The deputies attempted to stop the Ferrari, and the driver continued to travel at over 100 mph, narrowly avoiding colliding with other vehicles.
Florida Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit, temporarily shutting down I-95 and US 1 and placing stop sticks on several roads in the Ferrari’s direction of travel.
The Ferrari then continued through a school zone on Belle Terre Parkway and deputies reduced their speed and lost sight of the vehicle.
Real Time Crime Center and several helicopters were dispatched to assist in the search, and several local schools were briefly placed in a “secure hold” status.
Detectives determined that Costa had a friend living on Royal Palm Lane in Palm Coast, and Chief David Williams located the Ferrari at approximately 4:30 p.m. behind the residence.
Costa had allegedly attempted to conceal the Ferrari under red and blue tarps, but the vehicle was still fully visible from the street.
A perimeter was set up around the residence by deputies who commanded Costa to exit the residence, which he did shortly after without incident.
Costs was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he is being held without bond.
Local charges may be pending as the investigation is still ongoing.
“Time and time again, criminals make the mistake of entering Flagler County, but it’s not every day 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 Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly.
Costa was believed to be traveling with Logan Slezak, the other suspect in the Cranston home invasion.
Slezak had surrendered to North Providence police and was later taken into custody by Cranston police.
