FCSO Chases Then Captures Armed Felon In Daytona Beach

Bunnell, FL – When a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy initiated a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle yesterday (May 3) they observed multiple baggies being thrown out of the passenger window before the car came to a stop. While getting information from the driver and passenger, later identified as 30-year-old Serone Bell, the deputy saw Bell point a rifle at the driver and force him out of the vehicle. Bell climbed into the driver’s seat and the chase was on. FCSO deputies and Bunnell police officers pursued him and observed the vehicle tailgating, driving erratically, and weaving in and out of traffic resulting in a crash with a parked car. Sheriff Rick Staly and Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge spotted Bell traveling South on US1 and attempted to deploy StopSticks at Belle Terre and US 1 but the deployment could not be safely done. They joined the pursuit, following Bell on southbound I-95, then LPGA Boulevard eastbound, and on to Williamson Boulevard southbound. Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) deputies and Daytona Beach Police (DBPD) became involved in the pursuit, also attempting to deploy StopSticks and also being unsuccessful. DBPD blocked intersections to protect drivers and pedestrians. Bell turned east on International Speedway Boulevard, into the parking lot of Rooms to Go where he crashed into two parked cars. He attempted to flee on foot but was stopped by a Taser. DBPD officers and FCSO deputies took Bell to the ground and secured him. In the car was an AR15 style rifle along with a loaded 60 round magazine. At the site of the initial traffic stop in Bunnell, deputies located the baggies that were thrown out of the vehicle. The contents of the baggies were determined to be 19.72 grams of Fentanyl, 9.25 grams of cocaine, and 11 grams of an unknown substance. According to FCSO, Bell had enough Fentanyl to potentially kill over 20,000 people. “Fortunately Bell did not use his rifle against law enforcement or this would have had a very different ending,” Sheriff Staly said. “It’s also a miracle that Bell did not seriously injure or kill himself or anyone else on the road with his aggressive fleeing. I want to thank all the agencies who assisted in apprehending him and protecting the community at intersections from his aggressive fleeing. It is fitting that Bell’s ride came to end on International Speedway Boulevard near the speedway as I believe it was poison peddler’s Bell’s last lap of freedom. Let this be a lesson to anyone thinking about running from law enforcement; there is no ‘winner’s circle’ waiting for you when you decide to flee a traffic stop, but you do ‘win’ a room at the Green Roof Inn.” Bell has previously been convicted and served time in prison for selling Methamphetamine.  This time, he is charged with Carjacking with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Giving a False Name to Law Enforcement, Marijuana Possession, Cocaine Possession, Fentanyl Trafficking 14 to 20 grams, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Aggravated Fleeing with Disregard of Safety to Persons or Property. He is being held on no bond. Additional charges are pending a search of his vehicle and by other agencies for traffic charges related to his crashes.