DELTONA, FLORIDA: Nicholas Coffey, a 23-year-old Florida man, found himself in police custody after allegedly flaunting a stolen Mercedes-Benz on social media. Authorities from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office further linked him to a series of break-ins in the Deltona area.
Coffey, along with an accomplice, was seen on security cameras wearing face masks and gloves while committing the car break-ins over the weekend. He was arrested on Sunday morning, September 3, in connection with these crimes, as per Fox News.
Nicholas Coffey was identified by his 'distinct face and neck tattoos'
Video footage from a Deltona gas station identified Coffey as the suspect.
It reportedly showed Coffey arriving at the gas station in a Mercedes-Benz that had been reported stolen from Ormond Beach at approximately 4.30 am on Saturday, September 2.
A Volusia County detective recognized him by his "distinct face and neck tattoos."
Additionally, there was an existing arrest warrant for Coffey in connection to another case the detective was working on.
A search of Coffey's social media accounts uncovered photos of him wearing the same clothing observed in both the gas station footage and residential security videos.
He had also posted about possessing a "new" Mercedes-Benz, further implicating him in the case.
The license plate reader data provided evidence that the stolen Mercedes was present on five streets in Deltona during the time frame of the car break-ins, occurring between approximately 3 am and 5.45 am on September 2. This data reinforced Coffey's connection to the series of incidents.
Nicholas Coffey was apprehended in Daytona Beach at approximately 5 am on Sunday, September 3, where deputies and detectives arrested him based on the active warrant. He was transported to Deltona for an interview.
During the questioning, Coffey neither refuted being the person captured in the videos nor admitted to any criminal activities, as outlined by the sheriff's office.
What are the charges against Nicholas Coffey?
Nicholas Coffey was placed under arrest and booked into jail on multiple charges, including 11 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary of a conveyance, one count of conspiracy to commit attempted burglary of a conveyance, fraudulent use of a credit card, and a probation violation stemming from his status as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The sheriff's office has not yet identified the second suspect involved in the case.
