BUNNELL, Fla. — A 56-year-old man with an extensive criminal history was arrested Saturday, October 24, 2026, after Flagler County deputies found him working on a truck displaying a stolen license plate along State Road 100 West in Bunnell.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Armen Pilafjian, 56, who was described as a transient.
Deputies located the truck on the shoulder of State Road 100 West Saturday afternoon after receiving information that a truck had been reported stolen in Putnam County.
When deputies approached the vehicle, they found Pilafjian standing near the front of the truck, apparently attempting to work on it.
Suspect Claimed Friend Had Given Him Truck
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Pilafjian told deputies that a friend had given him possession of the vehicle under an agreement that he would pay for it later.
He said the arrangement had been made using another friend’s phone and that he did not have a phone of his own to contact the vehicle’s owner about payment.
Deputies discovered that Pilafjian did not have a key to the truck. Investigators determined he was able to operate the vehicle by manually turning its ignition cylinder.
After confirming that the truck’s license plate had been reported stolen, deputies arrested Pilafjian on a charge of petit theft with prior convictions.
He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where his bond was set at $5,000.
Vehicle Identification Error Delays Additional Theft Charge
Although the truck had been reported stolen in Putnam County, deputies encountered a clerical error involving mismatched vehicle identification numbers that prevented them from formally confirming the vehicle’s stolen status.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and that an additional charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle is expected once the identification error is corrected.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly questioned Pilafjian’s explanation for possessing the truck.
“This guy told deputies his friend agreed to give him the truck. That obviously wasn’t the case, as it was instead reported stolen and deputies found he didn’t even have a key to the vehicle but was manipulating the ignition,” Staly said.
“Combine that with the fact he has a 76-page rap sheet for convictions for thefts dating back nearly 40 years, the circumstances didn’t paint a good picture for him, so now he’s sitting in the Green Roof Inn. It’s time this career criminal goes back to prison!”
Sheriff’s Office Reports 22 Prior Felony Convictions
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Pilafjian has a criminal history that includes 34 previous arrests, resulting in 22 felony convictions and 12 misdemeanor convictions.
Authorities said 18 of those convictions were theft-related and that Pilafjian had previously served six state prison sentences.
His past arrests involved charges including grand theft, motor vehicle theft, burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, dealing in stolen property, fraudulent use of a credit card, possession of cocaine and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.
Other previous charges included burglary of a dwelling while armed, burglary with assault or battery, criminal mischief, uttering a forged instrument, domestic battery and felony driving while license suspended.
The current investigation remains active.