for immediate release
October 21, 2004
N E W S R E L E A S E
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is asking for public assistance as it continues to
investigate a string of break-ins at rented self-storage facilities. Two individuals have been arrested,
and thousands of dollars worth of property has been returned, but some stolen property remains
missing, and some recovered property cannot be returned until the rightful owners are identified.
The two suspects, Douglas Dale Knuth (pictured
left), age 35 (9-11-1969); and Roland Joe Kniess (pictured
right), age
46 (3-28-1958), are held in the Okaloosa County Jail on multiple counts. The most
recent arrests
included five counts of Burglary and four counts of Dealing in Stolen Property for each, in warrants
Monday afternoon (October 18) at the jail. Additional charges are pending. The Okaloosa County
Sheriff's Office has been working in co-operation with the Walton, Santa Rosa, and Escambia County
Sheriff's Offices; and the Niceville, Valparaiso, Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach Police
Departments.
The two are accused of cutting padlocks to enter rented store-rooms from July until their
initial arrest in September, stealing furniture, tools, and other items. Much of the stolen property was
sold through second-hand dealers. In some cases, the o
wners may still be unaware of the theft.
Citizens may wish to check any rented storage units that have not been recently inspected for burglary
or theft. So far, the break-ins have been reported in Bluewater Bay, Niceville, Valparaiso, Mary
Esther, Crestview, and Sandestin.
An item known to have been stolen, but still not located is an antique flip-top cherry wood desk. A photo of it may be viewed at www.sheriff-okaloosa.org.
Among recovered items for which owners have not been located is an antique grandfather's clock bearing a metal plaque that reads "Doll and M.G. Blaylock 1991," plus an antique typewriter, a chandelier, coffee tables and end tables, a ship's wheel, chain saw, and a paint sprayer. Anybody who may be able to match any of this property with its owner, or who may be aware of previously unreported self-storage burglaries should contact Investigator Travis Robinson at the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, (850) 609-2000.
-30-
for more information contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420