Date: October 6, 2026
Prepared by: Joseph Bober, Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2026 – 213
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 11 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, and 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Deputies handled 652 calls for service and made 116 traffic stops.
Man Arrested for DUI and Refusal to Submit for Second Time in Less Than Two Months
On Friday, deputies arrested a Palm Coast man for his second DUI in slightly over a month.
Friday evening, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near Sharps Discount Liquors in Palm Coast. According to the caller, a white Tesla had been parked in front of the store for several hours. The caller also reported a man was inside the vehicle and had been observed vomiting.
When deputies arrived, they approached the vehicle and observed the man, later identified as Stephen Barnier, 49, of Palm Coast, in the driver’s seat, appearing to be asleep. Barnier did not initially respond after deputies knocked on the window, announced their presence, and shined a flashlight inside the vehicle. After deputies repeated their attempts, Barnier looked over with a surprised facial expression and rolled down the rear passenger-side window. As soon as the window opened, deputies detected a strong odor of alcohol inside the vehicle.
Unprompted by deputies, Barnier then exited the vehicle. Deputies noticed Barnier’s eyes were watery, his clothes appeared wet, and he had the odor of alcohol coming from his breath as he spoke. Barnier could not explain to deputies how long he had been in the parking lot.
During a check of Barnier’s history, deputies determined he had previously been arrested for DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing on Aug. 28, and he had a suspended driver’s license. Barnier acknowledged he knew his license was suspended and stated his previous DUI case was still active.
Deputies then conducted a series of field sobriety exercises. After completing the first exercise, Barnier turned and began walking away as a deputy was explaining the next exercise. Deputies stopped Barnier and asked if he was refusing to continue the exercises. Barnier did not respond and instead placed his hands behind his back.
Deputies placed Barnier under arrest and transported him to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was asked to provide a sample of his breath, which he refused.
Stephen Barnier (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
Deputies arrested Barnier for DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing (second or subsequent refusal). He is being held at the detention facility without bond after his bond in his previous DUI case was revoked at first appearance.
“It’s clear this guy should not be behind the wheel, as we’ve arrested him for DUI twice in 35 days,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “In both cases, he made things harder by refusing to submit to testing, and this time he knew he had a suspended license and shouldn’t have been driving even if he was sober. Clearly, this guy has an alcohol problem. I hope he gets the help he needs, and he learns his lesson before he hurts or kills himself or an innocent driver.”
View body camera footage from Barnier’s arrest.
Man Arrested on Warrant for Failure to Redeliver Leased Equipment
On Saturday, deputies arrested a Palm Coast man wanted for leasing and not paying for or returning a video game console.
Saturday evening, deputies responded to a residence on Rosepetal Lane in Palm Coast to serve a felony arrest warrant for Steven Cook, 39, of Palm Coast. Cook had been wanted for failure to return leased equipment after he stopped making payments on a PlayStation 5 he leased from a Palm Coast business. When the store attempted to contact Cook about his payments, Cook was verbally abusive to an employee and reportedly stated “the game console is gone” and “do what you got to do.”
At the residence, deputies initially made contact with a family member who stated Cook was not home, before shutting the door. However, while speaking with them, a deputy saw Cook inside the home. As deputies repeatedly knocked on the door, Cook stayed inside the residence for over 10 minutes before eventually coming to the door, and deputies took him into custody without incident.
“This guy must have really wanted to play a game,” said Sheriff Staly. “Even when deputies went to serve his warrant, he was still trying to play games by refusing to come out thinking they’d just quit and walk away, but now it’s game over for him and now he’s back to playing board games and cards at the Green Roof Inn.”
Steven Cook (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
Deputies arrested Cook on his active warrant. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later released on a $1,500 bond.
The post Flagler County Sheriff’s Weekend Roundup: October 3-4 first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
