FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Sea turtle nesting season is underway on Flagler County’s coastline, but the volunteers who protect those nests are now patrolling on foot.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help tracking down a stolen camouflage-colored ATV taken from the Flagler Turtle Patrol — a volunteer group dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their nesting sites along the county’s coastline.
According to a social media post, someone broke into a shed Wednesday afternoon behind the Turtle Patrol’s Marineland facility on North Ocean Shore Boulevard — also known as A1A — and made off with the ATV the group uses to monitor nesting sites along the beach.
“These volunteers give their time to protect our sea turtles and our coast, and someone repaid them by breaking in and stealing the very equipment they rely on,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “If anyone has any information, please let us know so we can catch whoever did this.”
Sheriff Rick Staly told News 6 the theft is especially disappointing because it impacts the volunteers who help protect sea turtle nests and hatchlings along Flagler County’s coast.
“They may have just thought it was harmless, but no, they’re actually harming eggs that aren’t hatched yet and future turtles that can live in the wild, in the ocean,” Staly said.
Staly said he even had the sheriff’s office fleet division check whether there was an old ATV that could be donated to the volunteer group, but the vehicle was too expensive to repair.
According to Staly, the theft happened in a remote area near the St. Johns County line, making tips from the public especially important.
“Someone out there knows what happened, and we’re hoping that they call us or call Crime Stoppers,” Staly said.
Staly said recovering the ATV is the priority.
“Why don’t you return it, call a tip line, tell us where it’s at. We’ll go get it,” he said.
However, he warned that if investigators solve the case first, arrests will follow.
“If you don’t call and we work and solve the case and recover it, then you’re definitely going to get arrested and you’re going to go to jail,” Staly said.
On Facebook, Flagler Turtle Patrol vowed to continue its mission despite the theft.
“Our patrol volunteers will be walking until we get it back,” the group wrote.
People News 6 spoke with on Flagler Beach said they were outraged that someone would steal from volunteers who help protect sea turtles.
“Absolutely disgusting. Who would come and steal that ATV? Why? These people volunteer for the environment,” said Sherrie Wilson.
“So whoever stole it should get all four flats.”
Daria Drysdale, who has lived near the ocean for 15 years, called the theft “unbelievable.”
“It’s terrible. Who would do that?” Drysdale said. “Everyone minds the turtles here. They’re roped off and everyone wants to keep them safe and protected.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office by calling 386-313-4911, contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-8477, emailing TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, or submitting a tip through the FCSO app or website. Reference Case No. 26-60191.
Florida’s sea turtle nesting season runs from March 1 through Oct. 31 along the Atlantic coast.