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‘Left a mess:’ Suspected burglar found hiding in slide at Flagler County playground

Julie Martellucci, 45, faces charges of resisting arrest and battery

Julie Martellucci, 45 (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A suspect burglar was found hiding in a playground slide on Friday evening, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

In a release, deputies said they responded to Casa Montessori School in Palm Coast after receiving reports of a “suspicious person” who was trying to open several car doors and had been throwing items over the playground fence.

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Upon arrival, a deputy found a woman — identified as Julie Martellucci, 45 — who matched the description of the reports, the release says.

Investigators stated that Martellucci ignored orders to leave the playground, instead opting to hide in a corkscrew tube slide.

Deputies said that Martellucci was found hiding in a playground slide on Friday evening. (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

As a result, she was removed from the slide, though she reportedly struck the deputy as he tried to restrain her, the release shows.

Later, investigators discovered that Martellucci had thrown several playground playsets over the fence, tipped others over, and gotten into a shed on the property, the sheriff’s office explained.

Martellucci is accused of throwing several playground items over the fence, deputies said. (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies said she also tried to get into two nearby businesses through several windows.

“This would-be thief reached a new low in her attempt to steal from local businesses,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “She left a mess on a children’s playground and slid her way into the Green Roof Inn. I also thank the concerned citizens that called in reporting the suspicious behavior that led to her arrest. Finally, if you batter a Deputy Sheriff, I promise you a trip to the Green Roof Inn.”

Martellucci was taken into custody, and she faces charges of resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, and two counts of burglary.

She is held on bond of $15,000.

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