Sheriff’s Report February 16th– 22nd, 2024

2/16

Danny Colvin reported Jonathan Oneal on his property after being Trespassed by WCSO. On arrival, Deputies observed Oneal standing in the front yard of Colvin’s property. Oneal was placed under arrest and transported to WCSO Jail Facility without incident.  Deputy Shayne Broxie investigated.

Mary Padgett Finch reported her vehicle being shot with a pellet gun. Finch noticed the damage to her vehicle upon returning from out of town. The estimated cost of repair is $2000.  This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation.  Deputy Norman De Guzman investigated.

2/17

Deputy Dustin Matthews responded to the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in reference to a walk-in complaint. Upon arrival Deputy Matthews made contact with Roy Shiflett. Roy advised he received an email from an unknown address and when he opened the email, he started getting threatening text messages saying he had to give them money or they would send compromising pictures to another party. Roy advised he bought $2000, worth of Apple gift cards and gave them the numbers off the cards. This report has been sent to CID for further investigation.

2/18

Deputy Dustin Matthews responded to Municipal Ave, in reference to a criminal mischief complaint. Upon arrival Deputy Matthews made contact with Toby Benedict. Toby advised when he woke up this morning, he noticed someone had “keyed” his mom’s minivan. Toby advised the suspect had to have done it sometime last night. The damage was estimated at $500.00. This case has been forwarded to CID for further investigation.

2/19

Deputy Edwin Grove responded to the Sheriff’s Office and met with William Smith who stated he found a pair of ear buds in a sand off FH13. The property was placed into evidence for safe keeping, until the owner can be located.

2/20

Deputy Don Newsome responded to Grace Baptist Church and made contact with Eric Davis, who stated the church had been burglarized on Saturday the 17th. Crime scene responded and assisted with processing the scene.  This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation. 

2/21

Helen Towndrow reported a bicycle on the back path off Coastal Highway. Deputies responded and retrieved the bicycle. The bicycle was placed into small impound lot for safe keeping until the owner can be located.  Deputy Kendrick Gavin investigated.

Gregory Taylor reported his Kubota Skid Steer on fire. Taylor was able to extinguish the fire but upon arrival the fire sparked up again. Deputy Dustin Matthews was able to extinguish the fire with his agency issued fire extinguisher. The Skid Steer was deemed a total loss. The estimated value of the skid steer was $144,000 US Dollars.

This report is for activities Feb. 23rd to 29th:

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

  • Deputy Heather Will met with Diane Hamilton, who explained she met with an independent contractor who came to her house to look at her AC unit. The contractor advised the AC unit needs to be repaired. Hamilton paid the contractor $2,300 in cash for labor and parts. The contractor provided her with the receipt for the payment. She has tried multiple times to set up an appointment with them to complete the maintenance for her air conditioning unit. Anytime he responds to her he always has an excuse. Hamilton has asked him to return the money in which he has not done. This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation.

SATURDAY, FEB. 24

  • Deputy Anthony Paul went to Lynn Circle in reference to a trespass. Investigation revealed Joshua Dowden was trespassing after warning. Additionally, upon contact, Dowden was also found in possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. He was arrested for trespass after warning, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Lt. David Pienta arrested Nathaniel Bailey for DUI after a work truck Bailey was driving was observed driving recklessly. Bailey failed field sobriety exercises. Nathaniel Bailey was arrested for DUI and transported to the Wakulla County Jail.
  • Charles Weston was cooking chicken when he noticed a lot of smoke coming from the kitchen. Weston removed a pot from the home and cut off the main breaker. There was no actual fire just minor smoke damage to the ceiling and microwave. Deputy Dakota Haddock investigated.

SUNDAY, FEB. 25

  • Deputy Don Newsome responded to the sheriff’s office and made contact with Alisa Johnson, who stated she was contacted via text by who she thought was a friend with a proposition to invest in bitcoin. She invested and before she would get a return on her investment, she had to continue sending money. Johnson then realized she was being scammed. This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation.
  • Sgt. Eddie Webb made contact with several individuals in the front lobby of the sheriff’s office. Contact was made with Ryan Connell and his mother, Melissa Connell, who were in a verbal altercation. Ryan began yelling at Melissa hindering Sgt. Webb’s investigation. Ryan was given multiple commands to calm down. Ryan became irate and took an aggressive poster towards Sgt. Webb. Ryan made the statement: “I will beat your a–” and “I will kill you.” Due to Ryan’s posture and statement, Sgt. Webb attempted to place Ryan in handcuffs. Ryan began actively resisting and was escorted to the ground to gain compliance. Ryan was eventually secured in handcuffs without further incident.

MONDAY, FEB. 26

  • Deputies responded to 49 Liberty Road in reference to a possible structure fire. Prior to arrival Wakulla Fire Rescue arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The fire appeared to have started in the kitchen as a grease fire. Damage to the home was estimated between $10,000 to $15,000.
  • Deputy Kory Smith responded to the front lobby of the sheriff’s office in reference to a walk-in complaint. The deputy made contact with Paul Zarza, who advised he had spoken with someone who was representing themselves as an employee at Enterprise Car Rental. Zarza said he sent them over $500 worth of gift cards to rent a vehicle. Zarza said the money was never applied to his account. This case has been forwarded to detectives for further investigation.

TUESDAY, FEB. 27

  • Lt. Brent Sanders responded to the front lobby in reference to a walk-in complaint of animal cruelty. Contact was made with Brittany Smith who said her horse was shot multiple times with a pellet gun. This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28

  • Leroy Schoonover reported someone attempted to break into his shed. Schoonover was able to provide a possible suspect in this case. This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation. Deputy Dakota Haddock investigated.
  • Deputy Don Newsome responded to Bob Miller Road in reference to Chris Pandolfi observing two people on his property via his surveillance cameras, which has numerous “No trespassing” signs posted. It was determined Alexander Freeman and Jessica Sorenson were still on the property and had removed a chain from across the road to enter the property. The chain was bearing a “No trespassing” sign. Both subjects admitted they knew they were not supposed to be on the property. Freeman and Sorenson were placed under arrest and transported to the Wakulla County Jail.

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

  • Nicole Snyder reported fraudulent activity on her bank account. Snyder discovered she had three unauthorized checks pending totaling almost $6,000. However, the bank was able to freeze the account and Synder is not currently out of any funds. This case has been sent to detectives for further investigation. Deputy Edwin Grove investigated.

Please remember to always report suspicious or illegal activity at 850-745-7100, 911 for emergencies.