2 arrested in carjacking of delivery driver

Flagler County deputies: Driver carjacked, pushed out of moving car

Jaspar County, S.C., Sheriff's Office booking photo of Guiseppe Verdone

PALM COAST, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said a man and teenage girl are being held in South Carolina after a two state chase that followed the carjacking of a delivery driver Saturday night in Palm Coast.

Guiseppe Verdone, 22, and a female juvenile who was not named were arrested in Hardeeville, S.C. after the victim's stolen car was spotted in Georgia was pursued into South Carolina. Verdone and the girl were being held in the Jaspar County Detention Center and were expected to face charges in Flager and St. Johns counties, as well as in Georgia and South Carolina.

Recommended Videos



Flagler County Sheriff's Office officials say Ming Gong was carjacked as he tried to make a delivery of Chinese food to a Palm Coast address that turned out to be a vacant home. According to the report, the order was placed to King's Place by Verdone. 

When Gong arrived, detectives say Verdone attacked Gong, describing himself as a law enforcement officer, handcuffed Gong and put him in the back of his car. Verdone and the girl then pushed Gong out of the car as they were driving westbound on the Palm Coast Parkway.

Gong suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to UF Health at Jacksonville, where he underwent surgery and was listed in serious condition.

The Sheriff's Office says Verdone and the girl drove north, where authorities say they believe the two committed an armed robbery in St. Johns County later in the evening. 

Detectives say the pair continued driving north. When the stolen car was spotted in Liberty County early Sunday morning, a chase began.  It ended with the arrest of Verdone and his companion in South Carolina.

Verdone and the teenager face possible charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery, robbery and grand theft.