DeFuniak Springs Police responded to the Pine Shores subdivision on Monday at approximately 4PM in reference to a burglary in progress. A homeowner called 911 to report that she and her boyfriend were in a car chase with burglary suspects. The homeowner had arrived home and found a strange vehicle in her yard. Her boyfriend asked the subjects what they were doing and the female took off around the yard in her Cadillac, pausing to let a male subject jump in. The homeowner then followed suit, with a high speed chase down South 2nd Street and eventually onto U.S. Highway 90 East.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to U.S. Highway 90 East and was able to catch up to the vehicle just inside Holmes County. The female driver eventually stopped and both parties were questioned. Officers arrived and the subjects agreed to go to the DeFuniak Springs Police Department for further investigation. Their vehicle was inventoried on scene and possible drug paraphernalia, including needles with syringes were located.
The male suspect, 45 year old Donald Charles Hanish, of Santa Rosa Beach, agreed to be interviewed and admitted to entering the porch of the residence and stealing several items. Some of the items taken were recovered from the vehicle and others were thrown out as the suspects were being chased. 35 year old Allison Leigh Anne Knight, of Freeport, was interviewed, but denied the crimes. Both Hanish and Knight were arrested and charged with Burglary and Petit Theft.
The homeowner has since found additional items missing and the investigation is continuing. Suspects were booked into the Walton County Jail and are still incarcerated as of this release.