PALM COAST, Fla. — A Palm Coast man is in custody after authorities say he stabbed his roommate multiple times and led deputies on a vehicle pursuit Monday evening before being apprehended.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded Feb. 23, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m. after the victim called emergency dispatchers reporting he had been stabbed at a residence on Pier Lane. The victim told operators his roommate, Jose Rafael Cortes Nieves, 50, stabbed him with a small black knife and fled the scene in a red Honda CR-V.
Deputies quickly located the suspect vehicle near Belle Terre Boulevard and attempted a traffic stop. According to investigators, Cortes Nieves fled, accelerating through multiple red lights before deputies successfully ended the pursuit using stop sticks. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Deputies recovered a black knife inside the vehicle matching the victim’s description. Investigators also gathered evidence from the residence and obtained security footage from a nearby home.
During a post-arrest interview, Cortes Nieves admitted to stabbing the victim and stated he wanted to apologize. He acknowledged that even if he claimed self-defense, stabbing the victim was an excessive response and could have been fatal. Cortes Nieves also told investigators he fled because he believed his “life would be over” if he went to jail.
“Cortez Nieves turned to extreme violence over a minor money dispute with his roommate. He then put others at risk by recklessly fleeing from law enforcement,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our deputies acted quickly to stop this dangerous suspect and take him into custody before anyone else was hurt.”
Cortes Nieves was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement at high speed. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities said Cortes Nieves has prior convictions in Connecticut for possession of narcotics, third-degree larceny, and failure to appear.
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