Flagler Sheriff’s Weekend Roundup: Man Spit on Walmart Employee, Arrested | Observer Local News

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested nine people this past weekend between 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 and 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024. They handled 540 emergency calls and conducted 99 traffic stops.

“It was a relatively quiet weekend given the Cinco De Mayo holiday on Sunday,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I am pleased that our residents and visitors celebrated safely and wisely. However, I had to do a traffic stop this weekend because a Sunday driver was pushing the accelerator a little too hard and being impatient. Remember: One of the simplest things we can do to ensure public safety is to obey traffic laws. In addition to our typical service calls and traffic stops, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office also assisted the Flagler Beach Police Department after a shooting was reported in Flagler Beach. We will continue to support and assist our partner agency as this investigation continues.”

Convicted felon arrested for assault after spitting on Walmart employee

On Friday, May 3, at approximately 6:43 p.m., Deputy Nguyen responded to Walmart on Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast after receiving a complaint of battery. He spoke with the victim, a Walmart employee, who said she was involved in an argument with a customer that escalated to the point where the customer spit in her face.

The altercation began when the customer, later identified as Channing Cooks, 37, of Palm Coast, attempted to return merchandise without a receipt. The victim reported that Cooks became very upset about the matter and then lunged at her and repeatedly spat in her face while yelling, “I have a cold!”

Using information from FCSO’s Real Time Crime Center, officers were able to locate Channing’s vehicle at the CVS on Old Kings Road. S. Cooks said it was a misunderstanding and that he accidentally sneezed on the victim while talking to her about exchanging baby formula.

After viewing surveillance video of the incident and continuing to speak with the victim, officers arrested Cooks on a felony charge of assault – felony conviction and took him to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Center. He shouted profanities and racial slurs at the police officer throughout the journey, but apologized for his behavior after he arrived at the prison. Cooks was released on $2,500 bail.

Cooks was previously arrested for assault in 2018 and for violating probation in 2019. He also served 10 years in prison after being convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon in Putnam County in 2006.

“This convicted felon has learned nothing about managing his anger since his time in prison,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “His violent behavior escalated what should have been a simple discussion about returning a product, instead he spat in an employee’s face and continued to verbally abuse a deputy on the way to jail.” He had a chance to cool off at the Green Roof Inn, but when he didn’t If he learns to avoid confrontations, he will end up back behind bars.”

For video of the altercation and a body camera of the transport: https://bit.ly/3y6JN5U

Habitual unlicensed driver held without bail

On Sunday, May 5, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Deputy Manka was traveling eastbound on the Matanzas Woods Parkway in Palm Coast when he observed a white Dodge van failing to maintain his lane. He followed the van as it turned onto Old Kings Road. The vehicle continued to cross the solid yellow line on the side of the road and entered another lane.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver said he had no identification but identified himself as Shawn Timper, 32, of Deltona. After searching the driver and vehicle information database, Deputy Manka confirmed that the driver was Timper and concluded that he had not had a valid driver’s license since the suspension in November 2020. He was served with a suspension notice in December 2020 and again in March 2023 and May 2023.

Timper was arrested for driving with a knowingly revoked license and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Center. He is currently being held without bail.

In addition to his initial license suspension, Timper was arrested four times for traffic offenses, two times for failure to appear and two times for driving without a license.

“This is not the first habitual unlicensed driver that our officers have taken off the road,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I am continually proud of the proactive patrols and attention to detail our deputies conduct daily. If you are an unlicensed driver, I would avoid driving through Flagler County because it is only a matter of time before you get caught and can enjoy either a night or an extended stay at the Green Roof Inn.”