NEWS RELEASE
Weekend Roundup: July 11-12
Date:Monday, July 13, 2026
Landscaper Who Scammed an 81-Year-Old Homeowner and a Combative Woman Top Weekend Arrests
BUNNELL, Fla. — Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 18 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, and 6 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026. Deputies handled 818 calls for service and made 133 traffic stops.
Landscaper Who Scammed an 81-Year-Old and Vanished Is Arrested Two Years Later
This weekend, deputies arrested a Palm Coast landscaping business owner who took thousands of dollars from an elderly homeowner for work he never completed.
In the summer of 2024, the family of an 81-year-old Palm Coast homeowner hired A&A Landscaping to repair a rotting boat dock and keep up the yard. The landscaper, Avelino Jose Medeiros, 51, of Palm Coast, asked for a 50 percent deposit to get started. The total cost of the project quoted was approximately $4,000.
Within days of signing the contract, Medeiros charged the family’s account without permission, and, when confronted, explained that it was a mistake and promised to return the money. Over the next several months, he cut the grass only a handful of times and never began repairs on the dock. In total, Medeiros took about $3,625 from the family, and he never completed the work or repaid the funds.
On June 29, 2026, a warrant was issued for Medeiros’ arrest. He was taken into custody on his active warrant on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Dollar General on County Road 305 in Bunnell.
Avelino Medeiros (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility Mugshot)
“Our detectives don’t give up, and they don’t forget,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This thief stole from an 81-year-old senior. I wonder how he would feel if that occurred to his mother? Thankfully, the victim kept detailed records, and we kept investigating until we could get a warrant.”
Deputies arrested Medeiros for two counts of larceny from a victim 65 or older. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later released on a $5,000 bond.
Other company names Medeiros has used include Those Cabinet Guys Inc., A&A Linas Enterprise LLC, A&A Granite LLC, and AA Landscaping Enterprises LLC. Anyone who believes they may be a victim are encouraged to call the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office nonemergency number at 386-313-4911.
Medeiros has a criminal history that includes prior arrests for burglary, grand theft, and writing worthless checks.
Protect Yourself When Hiring for Home or Property Work
Before you hire anyone or hand over a dime, verify any required license. The Flagler Home Builders Association keeps a member directory and license-verification tool at flaglerhba.com, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation lets you confirm a state license at myfloridalicense.com. Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, check two or three references, and get the full scope of work, payment schedule, and completion date in writing. Reputable businesses don’t ask for most of the money up front. A reasonable deposit is fine, but if someone wants the bulk of the payment before any work begins, walk away. Pay by check or credit card so there’s a record, never cash, and hold back the final payment until the job is completed to your satisfaction and always have them sign a lien release attesting they paid for the materials and paid subcontractors.
Palm Coast Woman Kicks a Deputy After Domestic Dispute
On Saturday, July 11, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a Palm Coast home and arrested a woman who kicked one deputy then slipped out of her handcuffs before grabbing another.
Shortly before 5 p.m., deputies responded to a residence in Palm Coast for a report of a verbal argument. While in the driveway, a man told deputies that he and his girlfriend were involved in an argument after he decided to pack his clothes and move out. According to the victim, he stepped into the bedroom closet to gather his things when Sofiya Zvarych, 34, of Palm Coast, pushed him then briefly blocked him from leaving the closet before he slid past her and walked out to his truck.
When a deputy asked Zvarych what had happened, she stated that she did not know why deputies were there, refused to provide her identification, and said she would only speak with a female deputy before slamming the door shut.
A second deputy contacted Zvarych to get her account of the incident, but she was belligerent, and, after being told she was under arrest for domestic battery and false imprisonment, Zvarych became physically aggressive, actively resisting arrest and kicking one deputy in the thigh.
Once in the back seat of the patrol car, Zvarych slipped out of her handcuffs. When deputies had her step out to secure them, she resisted and grabbed another deputy by the hand. Deputies then subdued her, handcuffed her again, and placed her back in the patrol car where she became increasingly belligerent, cursing at deputies and calling them names. Zvarych remained combative on the way to the jail.
Sofiya Zvarych (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility Mugshot)
“Our deputies came to calm down a verbal dispute, and she chose to thank them with a foul mouth and then thought she could kick her way out of being arrested and slipped her handcuffs,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “But she’s no Harry Houdini, and those magic tricks never work. Fighting with our deputies just adds charges and guarantees a trip to the Green Roof Inn.”
Deputies arrested Zvarych for domestic battery, false imprisonment, resisting an officer with violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she was later released on an $8,000 bond.
See video of Zvarych’s arrest.
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