DNA Evidence Helps Detectives Solve Vehicle Burglary
BUNNELL, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Palm Coast man on multiple felony charges after DNA evidence established him as the suspect during an investigation into a December 2024 vehicle burglary.
On Dec. 10, 2024, deputies responded to a vehicle burglary in the P-Section of Palm Coast. The victim reported that her vehicle, which she had left unlocked, had been entered overnight and rummaged through, and that a knife had been stolen from the center console. The victim told deputies the vehicle’s ignition system had been tampered with, which she believed whoever had entered the vehicle had used the stolen knife to attempt to start and steal the car. The victim also stated that she had found blood on both the floorboard under the driver’s seat and the ignition system.
During the investigation, deputies reviewed home security camera video from a neighboring residence which captured the burglary. The footage showed an individual dressed in all black walking down the street, entering the victim’s driveway, entering the vehicle, then walking away.
While deputies investigated the incident, the FCSO Crime Scene Investigations Unit collected a blood swab from the scene to collect potential DNA evidence. The evidence was then sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further testing.
On Jan. 7, 2026, FDLE informed FCSO the Combined DNA Index System identified a match between the DNA profile collected from the blood at the scene and that of a previous offender, Joshua Davis, 20, of Palm Coast. Once FCSO General Assignment Unit detectives had a suspect, they met with the victim, who confirmed she did not know Davis.
On Jan. 16, detectives obtained a warrant for Davis’ arrest for burglary while armed, petit theft, and criminal mischief. Two days later, Davis turned himself in to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was arrested on his active warrant. He is currently being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on a $52,000 bond.
Joshua Davis (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
“When you cut yourself and leave blood at the scene, there’s really no point in hiding, because once the DNA evidence came in, we proved this guy was our suspect and detectives quickly obtained an arrest warrant,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “He must have thought for over a year that he had gotten away with it. So, rather than spend more time looking over his shoulder, he did the smart thing and turned himself in to the Green Roof Inn. This is also a good reminder for our residents to always keep their car locked and a warning to criminals that we don’t give up. It might take a while to build the case, but if you commit a crime in Flagler County, we are coming for you no matter how long it takes!”
The General Assignment Unit is investigating two other vehicle burglaries reported in the P-Section during the same time frame, both with broken ignition systems. Pending the results of those investigations, additional charges may be added.
Davis was previously arrested in June 2025 for grand theft in Flagler Beach.###