Suspect In Rash Of Deltona Car Break-Ins Identified, Arrested

Date Added: September 03, 2023 7:02 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

SUSPECT IN RASH OF DELTONA CAR BREAK-INS IDENTIFIED, ARRESTED

A suspect in a rash of car break-ins in Deltona this weekend is in custody after detectives used video surveillance images and license plate reader data to identify him and track him down.

Nicholas Coffey, 23 (DOB 9/24/1999), of Palm Coast, was riding in a stolen Mercedes Benz out of Ormond Beach when he committed the Deltona car breaks, along with a second suspect. Both suspects were caught on residential security cameras, but were wearing face coverings and gloves.

However, Coffey was also caught on video around 4:30 a.m. Saturday when he arrived at a Deltona gas station in the stolen Mercedes and made a purchase in the store. He had his face covering around his neck and his blue latex gloves still on his hands.

When images from the gas station video were circulated, a VSO detective recognized Coffey, who already had a warrant for his arrest in a separate case the detective was working. Coffey’s distinct face and neck tattoos were visible in the security images.

A review of Coffey’s social media also showed multiple photos of him wearing the same clothing seen in the gas station video and residential security videos. He also posted on social media about having a new Mercedes Benz.

License plate reader data showed the stolen Mercedes was in Deltona from about 3 a.m. to 5:45 a.m. Saturday, the timeframe of the rash of car breaks on Delaware Road, Illinois Avenue, Loblolly Street, Redbud Court, and Nickerbean Street.

Deputies and detectives tracked down Coffey in Daytona Beach around 5 a.m. Sunday, arrested him on his outstanding warrant, and then transported him to Deltona for an interview with detectives. He did not deny being the subject caught on video but also did not confess to the crimes.

Coffey was charged with 11 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary of a conveyance and 1 count of conspiracy to commit attempted burglary of a conveyance, with a total bond of $57,500. He has no bond on an additional charge of violation of probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and $15,000 bond for fraudulent use of a credit card. The second suspect has not yet been identified, and the investigation is continuing.