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Destin Crime Spree

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of car burglaries, two stolen vehicles, and a business burglary that took place in Destin Monday night into early Tuesday morning. Investigators believe at least several or more of the crimes are connected.

Deputies have recovered stolen merchandise as well as both stolen vehicles. One was located this morning in the Panama City area.

A man who left his truck unlocked in the Home Depot parking lot in Monday night with two sets of keys inside and $10,000 worth of merchandise in the bed reported it stolen. Deputies later spotted the truck at the Destin Wal-Mart. A man wearing a grey t-shirt and hat (shown in the first picture above) fled in the truck, which was later found near the wood line at the Indian Bayou Golf Course.

Meanwhile what appears to be the same individual is seen on surveillance video burglarizing the Alvin’s Island at 1073 Highway 98. (Second photo) Employees had discovered the break-in when they arrived at the story Tuesday morning. A car reported stolen from Indian Bayou was found parked behind the store, loaded with stolen merchandise. Evidence was also found at the scene that is linked to previous burglaries in Niceville.

In addition, a man reported someone broke into his car while he was inside the Alvin’s Island store at 34888 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin. The suspect, described as a white male, fled the scene. A witness said he’d seen the man going back and forth between the victim’s car and a Ford Ranger parked nearby. A search of the truck revealed it contained a large amount of merchandise, with tags and anti-theft devices still attached.

In total, the OCSO took calls related to seven car burglaries, two stolen vehicles form the Indian Bayou Trail neighborhood, and a burglary to Alvin’s Island.

If anyone has information, or recognizes the individual seen at the Destin Wal-Mart and/or inside the burglarized Alvin’s Island business, please contact the OCSO at 850-651-7400. You can also provide information anonymously through Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, EmeraldCoastCrimeStoppers.com, or by using the P3 Tips mobile application.

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