SHERIFF'S REPORT 4-29

Wakulla County Sheriff's Office officials are investigating a burglary reported April 22 by Christopher M. Jones of Crawfordville, according to Sheriff David Harvey.

The victim reported the theft of $3,900 worth of electronics, appliances, jewelry and tools from a rental home. A forced entry was discovered and the home had been ransacked. Deputy Jason Brooks and CSI Richele Brooks investigated.

In other activity reported by the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office during the past week:

The sheriff's office reminds residents to lock their vehicles when they park for the night. This time last year, the office investigated several dozen car burglaries, particularly in the center of Crawfordville. In the 50 to 60 car theft cases, the burglaries were a result of the victims leaving their cars unlocked. Not one forced entry was reported. Vehicle thefts have already started again this year with four car burglaries reported two weekends ago.

The primary target areas are the Hummingbird subdivision, Mulberry Lane, Songbird subdivision, Wakulla Aaran Road and Wakulla Gardens subdivision.

On April 23, Kimberly E. Maxie of Crawfordville reported a grand theft of a four wheeler, valued at $3,000. The vehicle had been parked at the victim's residence. The vehicle was added into the NCIC/FCIC computer. Deputy Andrew Vass investigated. 

On April 23, Alisha N. Duncan of Panama City Beach reported the theft of a lawnmower, valued at $100. The property was taken from her home in Crawfordville. Deputy Andrew Vass investigated.

On April 23, Austin A. Dill of Panacea reported the theft of a $200 kayak from Holiday Campground in Ochlockonee Bay. A suspect has been identified. The kayak was entered into the NCIC/FCIC computer. Deputy Matt Helms investigated.

On April 24, Joseph L. Redding of Sopchoppy and Wal-Mart reported a retail theft as Sarah Stephenson, 28, of Monticello was observed allegedly removing $115 worth of DVDs, CDs and cookies without paying for them. Stephenson was charged with retail theft and taken to the county jail. CSI Melissa Harris investigated. 

On April 24, Arnold L. Lawson of Crawfordville reported a vehicle burglary as $1,134 worth of tools were stolen from his truck. A forced entry was discovered on the tool box. Deputy Pam Veltkamp investigated.

On April 22, Antonio Coates, 21, of Monticello was charged with introduction of contraband into a detention facility. Coates had been arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.  During the arrest process, he was told that he would be charged again if he had any additional narcotics on him during the detention search process. During his body search, a baggie of powder cocaine was discovered. Deputy Bick Boutwell investigated.

On April 22, Padraic Juarez of the county health department reported the theft of money out of the office cash box. The estimated loss os $60.  Deputy Sean Wheeler investigated. 

On April 23, Brian A. Martin of Crawfordville reported a criminal mischief as someone scratched his vehicle in two places and created $250 worth of damage. Deputy Andrew Vass investigated. 

On April 22, Michael K. Maxie of Crawfordville reported a grand theft as a boat motor was taken from his property. The motor was valued at $2,200. It was entered into the NCIC/FCIC computer. Deputy Lindsay Allen and CSI Richele Brooks investigated. 

On April 22, David J. Jedzinak of Crawfordville reported a vehicle burglary as someone entered his vehicle and removed $10 in miscellaneous change. Deputy Ryan Muse investigated.

On April 22, Helen E. Gunn of Crawfordville reported a vehicle burglary as someone entered her vehicle and took $30 in change. Deputy Ryan Muse investigated.

On April 22, John D. Joiner of Crawfordville reported a vehicle burglary. An ash tray and coins, valued at $50, were stolen. Deputy Lindsay Allen investigated.

On April 22, Wakulla Bank employees discovered a fraud case where a suspect, who has been identified, cashed checks on an account of an 83-year-old Crawfordville customer's account. The victim was unaware she was missing checks until the bank investigated. Deputy James Plouffe investigated.

On April 22, Antonio Coates, 21, of Monticello, Trevis Coates, 20, of Crawfordville and a 17-year-old juvenile were charged in a narcotics case involving cocaine and marijuana. The sheriff's office used a confidential informant to make the transaction. Investigators discovered narcotics in the suspect vehicle. The three men were charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell and sale of cocaine. Antonio Coates was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and Trevis Coates was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis with intent to sell. The vehicle used in the sale of drugs was a rental car owned by Enterprise. Deputy Nick Boutwell, Captain Cliff Carroll and the narcotics unit investigated.

On April 28, Christina R. Collomy of Crawfordville reported a vehicle theft. A vehicle and other property, valued at $2,010, was stolen while the victim was attempting to move to a new home. Evidence was collected at the scene. Deputy Pam Veltkamp investigated.

On April 28, Donald Roe of Crawfordville reported a theft at Beulah Baptist Church. Lawn equipment, valued at $200, was stolen from the church shed. Deputy Nick Petowsky investigated.

On April 27, Marianne Gengenbach of Crawfordville reported the theft of her wallet at Shell Point Beach. The victim lost credit cards and a driver license. Deputy Jason Brooks investigated.

On April 26, Fred W. Bradford of Panacea reported a grand theft of a welder, valued at $500. Deputy Ben Steinle investigated.

On April 26, Jerry Lawrence of Crawfordville reported a criminal mischief to a gate on his property. Damage was estimated at $200. A neighbor, Joseph A. Abal, 59, of Crawfordville, allegedly admitted to Deputy Sean Wheeler that he had struck the gate with his truck which he said blocked his access to the national forest. Abal was issued a notice to appear in court.

On April 25, Selina C. Vinzant of Crawfordville reported a burglary at her home. A forced entry was discovered and jewelry and a cell phone were reported missing. The property is valued at $500. Deputy Jason Brooks investigated.

On April 25, Hunter M. Cowie of Crawfordville reported the theft of his wallet from Wakulla High School. The wallet was taken from the locker room. The loss is estimated at $200. Deputy Billy Jones investigated.

The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office received 850 calls for service during the past week.

Note to our readers: The people who are reported as charged with crimes in this column have not yet been to trial and are therefore innocent until proven guilty.