Bunnell man sought after fleeing scene

21-year-old was being placed under arrest when he escaped

Flagler County Sheriff's Office booking photo of Michael Testa

BUNNELL, Fla. – A Bunnell man is facing multiple felony criminal charges after fleeing from Flagler County deputies Tuesday night as they questioned him in connection with a Palm Coast home burglary.

Michael Testa, 21, of 302 North Bacher Street, was the target of a ground and air search around 6 p.m. in Bunnell after he escaped from a sheriff's deputy's car. Deputies had stopped Testa near the entrance of the Palm Terrace Trailer Park in Bunnell to question him about a previous burglary of a home on Zebulah Trail in Palm Coast.

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Testa was believed to have pawned property taken in the burglary at a Bunnell pawn shop. Deputies informed Testa that he was being placed under arrest for two counts of dealing in stolen property and one count of grand theft. He was placed in the back seat of a patrol car while deputies completed paperwork.

Testa was able to reach out of the partially opened window to reach the exterior door handle and open the rear door. He fled on foot with deputies in pursuit. Flagler County's Fireflight assisted in a search from the air after deputies lost sight of Testa in the trailer park. A K-9 unit was called, but was also unable to locate the man.

"This suspect had been cooperating with deputies. Unfortunately, he apparently had a change of heart and now he is in more trouble. He needs to turn himself in," said Flagler County Sheriff Donald W. Fleming.

Testa now faces an additional charge of escape.

Anyone with information on Testa's whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 386- 313-4911. Tips may also be submitted through the Sheriff's Office's website at www.myfcso.us.