Man arrested in connection with burglaries across Flagler and Volusia counties

A Palm Coast man has been arrested after a collaborative, multi-agency investigation into a series of business burglaries in Flagler and Volusia counties.

William Whitaker, 41, was arrested after authorities linked him to a series of break-ins that occurred earlier this month.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Volusia Sheriff’s Office and the New Smyrna Beach Police Department worked together to find Whitaker after several businesses reported broken glass doors and stolen cash registers. The investigation focused on incidents that occurred between February 7 and 10 at various locations, including a gas station, a nail salon and a beauty supply store.

On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:41 a.m., officers investigated a burglary at AL Prime Gas on US Highway 1 in Bunnell. Surveillance footage showed a suspect smashing a glass door to steal a cash register drawer and cash.

The next day, at 3:52 a.m., investigators responded to a second burglary at Crystal Nail Salon on Palm Coast Parkway NW. Video evidence showed a suspect breaking the glass door and reaching to unlock it before stealing the cash register.

The Bunnell Police Department also investigated a burglary at Grace Beauty Supply on North State Street. This incident occurred around 1:26 a.m. on February 9, 2026. Investigators found the method of entry and items stolen were consistent with the other cases, which remain part of the larger investigation.

Detectives used the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Real-Time Crime Center to identify a suspicious vehicle linked to the three Flagler County incidents. They also linked the vehicle to several reported burglaries in Volusia County.

On February 12, 2026, detectives followed the vehicle as it traveled from Palm Coast to New Smyrna Beach.

Authorities maintained surveillance as Whitaker placed his vehicle near closed businesses on State Road 44. When detectives heard the sound of a window hitting at ABC Liquor, local agencies responded. Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies and New Smyrna Beach police officers apprehended Whitaker before he could enter the building or flee.

Officers on scene confirmed damage to an exterior window of ABC Liquor, including knock marks and a small opening consistent with an attempted break-in.

Damage was estimated at more than $1,000. During the arrest, officers found burglary tools on Whitaker, including a mask and a skeleton lock picking set.

Whitaker was transported to the Volusia County Jail. In Flagler County, detectives obtained arrest warrants for two counts of burglary of a structure causing damage exceeding $1,000, two counts of criminal mischief and two counts of petty criminal theft. Whitaker’s Flagler warrants included no bond for the burglary charges and a total of $10,000 in bonds for the other charges.

Whitaker has a 64-page criminal record in Florida. He has previously faced charges in several counties, including Collier, Osceola, Jacksonville and Leon.

These past charges include robbery, battery, possession of burglary tools, probation violation, and fleeing or eluding law enforcement.

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