PALM COAST, Fla. — A 17-year-old boy from South Florida was arrested in Flagler County after crashing a stolen car into deputies, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said North Miami resident McKenzy Nazien was arrested Thursday and is facing a number of charges.
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According to a report, Nazien was seen driving a stolen car at a drive-thru line of Culver’s in Palm Coast when he was approached by deputies.
The deputies said they opened his driver side and passenger side doors after telling Nazien to shut the car off. He sped away while deputies were holding on to the door handles.
Nazien drove off, but crashed into the front of a marked patrol vehicle before driving away and jumping a curb into State Road 100 towards Town Center, deputies said.
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Deputies said Nazien later jumped from the car while it was in motion and ran through a McDonald’s parking lot to the back of a Vitamin Shoppe, where he was arrested.
According to a report, Nazien is no stranger to law enforcement. His criminal history dates back to 2017, and has been previously charged by North Miami Police Department with armed carjacking, flee and elude, grand theft, resisting an officer without violence, failing to obey law enforcement’s order to stop and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
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“This kid from south Florida made the mistake of stopping in Flagler,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “He put multiple lives at risk, including our deputies, by his actions. Deputies did a great job showing great restraint when they were assaulted by this kid driving a stolen car with intent on escaping arrest. He’s been slapped on the hand in South Florida too many times already. I hope he’s held accountable and learns this time, as he is on a fast-track to a life in state prison.”
Nazien was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting an officer with violence, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, petit theft, driving while license suspended with knowledge, criminal mischief and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
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