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DeFuniak Springs Police Press Release Information |
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Click on any of the links below to view articles published in the Northwest Daily News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: April 8, 2009
On April 8th, 2009 at approximately 9:50 PM, a white male approximately 5’10”, 190lbs in his late teens to late 20’s, wearing a white or cream colored ball cap, a dark gray short sleeved shirt with red letters across the chest, dark colored cargo type shorts, white ankle style socks, and black lace up tennis shoes, entered the Chevron Food Store located at 1739 U.S. highway 331 South. The subject displayed a black semi auto handgun and ordered the cashier to turn on a gas pump. The subject placed the handgun in his waist band and then returned to his vehicle and pumped $24.66 worth of gas and then drove off heading north bound on U.S. highway 331 S. The vehicle is described as a black 4 door, large SUV possible a Ford Expedition. Subject also appeared to have both a gold or silver necklace on and a ring on his right hand along with both ears pierced. Anyone with information can contact the Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police at 850-892-8511.
Cory J. Webster Public Information Officer
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: April 6, 2009
On April 6th, 2009, Narcotic Investigators of the DeFuniak Springs Police performed a knock and talk at 41 South 23rd Street in DeFuniak Springs after receiving several tips from different confidential sources that there was an indoor marijuana growing operation at that location. Upon arrival, Investigators made contact with one of the residents, identified as Ronald J. Miller, a 49 year old white male. When Mr. Miller opened the door to talk with the officers the smell of green Marijuana was overpowering. Investigators then explained to Mr. Miller that they were there based upon the report of an indoor growing operation and that they could smell the odor of green marijuana from their position on the porch with the door open. Mr. Miller then invited the officers in and took them to several rooms throughout the house and showed them his operation. Mr. Miller further stated that he had been growing the marijuana for more than two years for his own personal use. Officers found over 470 grams (1 ¾ lbs) of dried marijuana in several open containers lying in plain view of the officers as they accompanied Mr. Miller through the residence. Investigators also found several drying racks and two temperature and light controlled growing chambers. One of the growing chambers had 13 small plants approximately 12 to 14 inches in height and the other chamber had 3 mature plants in the process of budding. Mr. Ronald J. Miller was arrested on 1 count of Possession of Cannabis (More than 20 Grams), 1 Count of Possession with intent to Distribute (due to the large amount of finished and dried product on hand), 1 count of Cultivation of Cannabis, and 1 Count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also arrested was Kathy L. Miller, a 50 year old white female, who resides at the same address. Mrs. Miller was also charged with the same 4 charges as listed above. Both individuals were then transported to the Walton County jail where they will await first appearance on 3 Felony Charges and 1 Misdemeanor Charge each.
The Office of the City Marshal and the DeFuniak Springs Police will continue its zero tolerance policy when enforcing the law concerning any form of illegal narcotics. We would also like to thank the community for reporting these crimes which allows your police to successfully complete our mission of protecting and serving the citizen and visitors of this city. pril 7th, 2009
On April 11th, 2009 the DeFuniak Springs Police will be holding its Annual “Caring for Kid’s Day”. This event will be held at the Wee Care Park in DeFuniak Springs, located at 552 Walton Road, directly across from the Walton Senior High School.
Each year the Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police pulls together various agencies in order to educate and serve today’s youth. This event is designed to raise awareness about the choices we make and the consequences that often follow. The activities we have planned are for children of all ages. In addition, with the help of Wal-Mart, Buffalo Rock, McDonalds, Thriftway Supermarket, and many other vendors, we are able to provide free hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, and snacks. Admission is also free. Activities will begin at 10:00 a.m. and last until about 2:00 p.m. If you have any questions you may contact Public Information Officer Cory Webster or Miss Campbell at 850-892-8513. To find out more about this exciting event visit www.defuniakspringspolice.net.
Cory J. Webster Public Information Officer |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: June 17th. 2009
On June 17th 2009 officers of the DeFuniak Springs Police responded to the Petro Food Mart located at 1805 E Nelson Ave. for an alarm call. As the officer’s arrived they found one of the front windows shattered. As officers searched the building they found no one.
When the emergency contact arrived officers were able to view the security video. Officer’s witnessed a white male, dressed in black shorts, and a blue hooded sweatshirt throw an object into the window causing it to break. The subject then entered the store carrying a black backpack, wearing socks on his hands and a mask covering the lower portion of his face.
Officer’s later received a tip from someone at the store, that a subject named AJ matched the individual that was seen on the video. Officers went to the subject’s house and questioned the individual who eventually confessed to the burglary. Items of evidentiary value from the burglary were recovered from the subject’s house. The subject was arrested and transported to the county jail. Due to the subjects age his name is not mentioned.
Jason Barley Investigator |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: June 17th. 2009
DeFuniak Springs Police arrested three men involved with damaging recently installed historic street signs in the City late Tuesday night, June 23, 2009. The street signs were torn down by the suspects at Baldwin Avenue and S. 4th Street, and N. 4th Street at U.S. Highway 90 East. The vandalism was witnessed and called in by a citizen. Officers responded to the scene immediately and were able to apprehend Isaac Danial Riley, white male, DOB: 11/26/1990. A second suspect, Andrew Jamisen Pate, white male, DOB: 05/04/1989, was found a short time later and arrested. The third suspect, Nicholas Jordan Wuthnow, white male, DOB: 02/02/1988, was located at a local convenience store trying to catch a ride. He was arrested and taken to the Walton County Department of Corrections. All three suspects live in Navarre and were charged with Criminal Mischief. Pate is also being charged with damaging a mailbox at a business located in the same area as the street signs. The signs were repaired early Wednesday by City workers. The citizen's quick call to the Police Department was crucial in bringing these vandals to justice.
Richard D. Black Sergeant
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: July 6st, 2009
At approximately 1:00 pm on Monday, 6 July, officers of the DeFuniak Springs Police arrested three suspects in reference to several car burglaries that have occurred over the past month on Lakeview Drive and in Pine Shores Subdivision. The latest of these burglaries occurred late Friday night and early Saturday morning. A vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s was observed by DFSP officers on Live Oak Avenue. Prior to an officer stopping the vehicle for investigative purposes, it pulled into the Tom Thumb parking lot and officers immediately informed the suspects, to remain in the vehicle. Officers then instructed the driver to exit the car and explained that the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that was utilized in several burglaries. The driver stated that he did not know anything about the burglaries and had been out of town all weekend in Panama City and Destin. Information had already been obtained that one of the stolen credit cards had been used in Panama City and video footage of the vehicle had been obtained from the business where the credit card had been used. Officers then informed the driver of his Miranda Rights and requested the driver to provide some sort of identification. The driver then informed the officers that his ID was in the glove box and gave permission to one of the officers to retrieve the wallet. When the glove box was opened, officers found a set of drug scales and several plastic baggies. At this time all three individuals were placed under arrest for possession of Drug Paraphernalia and were read their Miranda Rights. When the wallet was opened to retrieve the ID, a credit card from one of the burglary victims was found beside the license. Further search of the individuals and the vehicle, incident to arrest, revealed a .45 caliber clip, with ammunition, and another credit card also belonging to one of the victims in one of the other suspect’s wallet. A complete search of the vehicle also revealed several items that were positively identified to have been taken from vehicles at the above mentioned places. One of the suspects admitted to the theft and led officers to a residence where a .45 Cal semi-automatic pistol was recovered that had been reported as stolen. The suspects were identified as Chantal D. Robbins, a 19 year old black female of Laurel Hills, Robert F. Kennedy, a 23 year old black male of DeFuniak Springs, and Ronreaco D. Jackson, a 19 year old black male also of DeFuniak Springs. All three suspects were taken to the Walton County Jail and booked and held for first appearance on several counts of Burglary, Armed Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Kennedy was also charged with DWLSR.
Captain Gregory K. Gandy Deputy Chief |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2009
At approximately 1:45 a.m. on Friday morning, July 10, 2009, officers of the DeFuniak Springs Police were informed of a burglary in progress at the closed BP Station on US Highway 90 West. Within less than one minute the first unit arrived on scene and observed the broken front window of the store and a red car with two individuals sitting inside hidden behind a tree adjacent to the store. The officer approached on foot and announced his presence and ordered the occupants from the vehicle. As the officer approached the vehicle the suspects drove forward attempting to leave the scene. Officers then blocked the road adjacent to the store to prevent escape and the subjects rammed the officer’s marked patrol unit with their car and then came to a stop. The officer again approached the vehicle and ordered the suspects to turn off the car and exit the vehicle. Neither suspect appeared to be hurt by the collision however they were non-responsive to the verbal directions given by the officer. The officer then reached inside the vehicle to turn off the car at which time the driver placed the vehicle in reverse trapping the officer’s arm between the exterior mirror and the front door post dragging the officer approximately 60 to 75 feet before he was able to extract his arm. The officer then fired his service pistol at the fleeing vehicle which continued backing towards Highway 90. The third round hit the vehicle in the hood and engine compartment disabling the vehicle which continued to roll backwards until it came to a rest in the parking lot of the store they had attempted to burglarize. Both individuals had to be physically removed from the car, where they were placed on the ground, handcuffed and arrested. The suspects were identified as Charlie Wade Ward, III, a 37 year old white male of DeFuniak Springs and a 17 year old white male juvenile also of DeFuniak Springs. Both individuals were then transported to the Walton County Jail and booked on the charges of Aggrevated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Attempted Burglary, Felony Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest without Violence, and Felony Fleeing and Eluding. Ward was also found at fault for the vehicle accident and charged with DUI.
Captain Gregory K. Gandy Deputy Chief |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2009
On July 8, 2009, at approximately 3:40 p.m. officers of the DeFuniak Spring Police responded to a report of theft at the Comfort Inn and Suites at 326 Coy Burgess Loop. Reportedly, fourteen (14) new 32” AOC flat screen digital television sets were stolen from unoccupied guest rooms on the third floor. The TV’s are valued at $554 each. A check of the electronic key system showed that the master housekeeping key had been utilized to gain entrance during the early morning hours of that same day, all between 2:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Further interview with the night clerk revealed that a friend of his arrived shortly after midnight with a female companion and requested a free room. When the clerk refused, the suspect got angry and snatched a clipboard from him that contained the master key to all guest rooms on the third floor. When the clerk retrieved the clipboard he did not notice that the master key was no longer attached. Later in his shift he observed the suspect leaving the motel and a short time later found the master key on the front counter in the main lobby. The total value of the stolen TV’s is estimated at $7,754. The suspect, identified as Barry T. Davis, Jr., a 23 year old black male of DeFuniak Springs, was questioned by investigators and subsequently arrested for Grand Theft and Burglary and transported to the Walton County Jail. Other possible suspects have been identified and further charges and arrest are still pending. The televisions have not been recovered as of this time. Anyone with any information concerning this crime, or any information about the missing television sets, is requested to contact the DeFuniak Springs Police at 892-8511 or 8513.
Captain Gregory K. Gandy Deputy Chief |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: July 27th, 2009
On Friday, 07/24/2009, at approximately 9:47 AM, DeFuniak Springs Police conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle that had an unreadable Florida tag. The officer stopped the motorcycle on U.S. Highway 331 South, just south of Kentucky Fried Chicken and identified the driver, Thomas Akers, of Crestview and passenger, Christopher Driver, also of Crestview. A check of Mr. Ackers information revealed that he did not possess the proper motorcycle endorsement to operate a motorcycle legally. During the course of the stop, the officer became suspicious of the individuals and requested consent to search a black bag that Mr. Driver had in his possession. Consent was given and inside the bag the officer discovered a set a digital scales, several small plastic bags and four bags of marijuana, totaling 83 grams in total weight. Both Mr. Driver and Mr. Akers admitted to having knowledge of the marijuana being present in the bag. Christopher Driver and Thomas Akers were then placed under arrest for the charges of Possession of Marijuana, Greater Than 20 Grams; Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thomas Akers was also charged with the additional charge of Operating a Motorcycle without Proper Endorsements. The Office of the City Marshal and the DeFuniak Springs Police will continue its zero tolerance policy in efforts to remove illegal narcotics from the streets of our community.
Officer Cory J. Webster Public Information Officer |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: August 5th, 2009
On Monday, August 3rd, 2009, the Office of the City Marshal underwent a major restructuring process to better serve our citizens and provide a command staff that has been vacant since January of 2009. These promotions were necessary to fill vacancies created when former Chief and current Sheriff Mike Adkinson resigned to begin his term as Walton County's Sheriff. After winning the election as City Marshal in April, Chief Weeks immediately promoted Captain Greg Gandy as the Deputy Chief to fill the position he had vacated. A two month promotion board process was then initiated to identify current employees who were qualified and who desired consideration for promotion. The promotion process consisted of 5 stages. Stage 1 was the announcement of the vacancies and the required and preferred qualifications for consideration. Stage 2 was the receipt of a formal letter and resume from each applicant requesting consideration and a records audit of those individuals. Stage 3 was the successful completion of a 100 question written examination which tested the applicant’s knowledge of Florida law, this agency’s standard operating procedures, basic English composition and grammar for report writing, and analytical reasoning. Stage 4 was an extensive written essay covering leadership and management techniques. Stage 5 was a formal oral board where each applicant appeared before a group of professional law enforcement officers from different police agencies in our area. Captain Matt Willingham of the Valparaiso PD served as the board chairperson. Other members of this board consisted of Lieutenant Kent Buckner of the Crestview PD and Sergeant Phil Cheney of the Fort Walton Beach PD. At the completion of the process all of the visiting board members stated that the promotion process was the most professional and fairest selection process that they have witnessed in their combined years of law enforcement experience. Chief Weeks is proud to announce that as a result of this promotion process all of the promotions were made from current employees. The following individuals were selected for promotion to the rank and position indicated below:
Lieutenant Richard Black, Patrol Division Commander Lieutenant David Krika, Criminal Investigations Division Commander Lieutenant Chris Strawn, Special Operations Division Commander Sergeant Jake Barley, Lead Detective Sergeant J. Bart Smith, Patrol Evening Shift Supervisor Sergeant Frank Guillory, Patrol Midnight Shift Supervisor
Captain Gregory K. Gandy Deputy Chief |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: August 19th, 2009
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 16th, two juveniles were observed by a DeFuniak Springs Police Officer moving through the shadows outside of Walton Cycle located on U.S. Highway 90 West.
The two white males, ages 16 and 17, were observed attempting to pry open one of the doors of an outside storage building belonging to the business, where toy trucks are kept. When that attempt failed they were observed removing the screen of a nearby window where they then gained entry into the building.
Upon reaching the suspects the Officer ordered the pair out of the building and onto the ground where they were placed under arrest for Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure, Criminal Mischief, and Petit Theft. Both youth, who are residents of Okaloosa County, were then handcuffed and transported to the Walton County jail where they were processed before being released to a family member.
Lieutenant Christopher A. Strawn Public Information Officer |