DeFuniak Springs Police responded to assist with a fire alarm at Walton High School during the early morning hours on Sunday, June 26, 2011. Firefighters with the DeFuniak Springs Fire Department had discovered that windows were busted out of the Field House and requested Police to investigate.
Officers with the DeFuniak Springs Police responded to the Field House at approximately 5 AM to discover that a Burglary had taken place. Officers were able to determine that a Burglary had occurred and conducted a protective sweep of the building. The Head Football Coach responded and advised of items missing that included a flat screen television and camcorder.
A short time after Officers completed their initial investigation, they were called back to the Field House in reference to a Burglary in progress. Officers learned that two men had been seen entering the Field House through a broken window. As Officers surrounded the building, the two men fled on foot from the building. Officers gave chase and contacted the Walton County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded with their K-9 team, as well as the Walton Correctional Institution K-9 team, and began tracking the suspects. The two suspects were tracked to the area of Nowling Road, where they were apprehended, trying to flee in a vehicle.
The investigation led to the identification of a third suspect. A search of the suspect’s residence revealed many of the stolen items from Walton High School.
Bryan Mark Hicks, 18 y.o.a, of DeFuniak Springs, Jason David Sherwood, 18 y.o.a., also of DeFuniak Springs, and 19 year old Cody Alan Burch, of Ponce De Leon were arrested and charged with Burglary, Grand Theft, and Criminal Mischief. They were taken to the Walton County Department of Corrections and booked on those charges.
Further arrest information can be obtained by going to the WCDOC website: http://jailpublic.co.walton.fl.us/inmatesearch.aspx