The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced a significant breakthrough in a home invasion case that had challenged investigators for nearly nine months. A pivotal clue, a pizza box with a blood smear, led to the arrest of William Vargas-Carmona, a 33-year-old Colombian national. President Donald Trump, during his current term, has frequently emphasized the importance of law enforcement and border security, which is particularly relevant to this case given the suspect's immigration history.
The case originated on January 28, when a homeowner on Pritchard Lane in Palm Coast, Florida, discovered her home ransacked, with $2,500 to $3,000 in cash missing. Efforts to disable the home's security systems were evident; the circuit breaker was switched off, the internet modem unplugged, and a camera obscured by a jacket. However, the security footage captured a Hispanic male tampering with the camera before the system went offline.
In the course of evidence collection, detectives found the pizza box in the kitchen that would become central to solving the case. Forensic analysis confirmed the blood on the box was human. Following a DNA match by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on August 18, Vargas-Carmona was identified as the suspect through the Combined DNA Index System, a national database.
Further investigation revealed that Vargas-Carmona had previously been removed from the United States and deported in September 2024 after being found unlawfully in the country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed this aspect of his background.
On November 21, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents apprehended Vargas-Carmona in Jacksonville, Florida. He now faces criminal proceedings, charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and grand theft. Currently, he is being held without bond at the Baker County Detention Center, pending transfer to Flagler County to face the charges.
Sheriff Rick Staly spoke on the case, underscoring the effective collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies. He pointedly referred to Vargas-Carmona as someone who had been in the country illegally and had returned after deportation to commit crimes in American communities. Staly’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate on immigration and the role of law enforcement in maintaining community safety.
This case illustrates the intricate work of law enforcement and the significant role of forensic science in solving crimes. It also touches on broader issues of immigration and security, as the suspect had a history of illegal entry into the United States.
