FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A former officer who was caught hauling a stolen trailer was found to have badges and ammo from the Mississippi police department where he once worked, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said a license plate reader got a hit on the trailer, which had been reported stolen out of Daytona Beach, around 10:30 a.m. Monday and the Real Time Crime Center was immediately activated to locate the Chevrolet Tahoe that was towing it.
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Deputies, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and Bunnell police officers conducted a felony traffic stop at the Circle K at 500 E Moody Boulevard, records show.
Ettienne Joseph Mixon Jr., 35, complied with commands and was taken into custody, according to a news release.
Deputies said they located a loaded gun in Mixon’s pocket and inside the Tahoe they found a backpack containing a large amount of counterfeit cash, brass knuckles and two clown masks.
Law enforcement equipment including ammunition, badges, a helmet, a Mississippi State Police Department ID card and a Pearl River Sheriff’s Office key card were also found in the vehicle, records show.
Authorities said they contacted officials with the Mississippi State Police who said Mixon had been terminated and asked that deputies keep the equipment safe.
The stolen trailer has since been returned to its original owner.
“Our technology advances in the past four years have proven to be a force multiplier in solving cases quickly and keeping our deputies and the community safe,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in news release. “In this case, the LPR alerted us to the stolen vehicle in our county and I just happened to be returning from presenting awards to some Great Kids so I joined the team to locate the suspect and take him into custody. Our RTCC was able to keep eyes on the suspect vehicle until we got on scene and conducted the felony traffic stop. It was a great team effort with the FCSO and the Bunnell Police Department.”
Mixon is facing charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of forged bills.