NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
December 21, 2007
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
  (850) 651-7420

MAN CHARGED WITH NICEVILLE BURGLARY

     A 19-year old has been charged with burglary with assault and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Jamal Wesley James, with a last known address of Eglin Air Force Base, was picked up by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office on an outstanding warrant after being released from a Pensacola hospital. James will be transferred to the Okaloosa County jail.

      James is accused of taking part in a home invasion robbery at the home of 64 year old Harold Crown of Niceville Tuesday night. Crown says

he heard a knock on his front door around ten p.m. When he opened it, two men in black hooded sweatshirts and ski masks rushed in and knocked him down. A third man then came in and began kicking and beating Crown.

     Crown grabbed a .45 caliber handgun from a shelf of a bookcase and a struggle ensued over the gun. Crown says he fired once and didn't hit anything. He then pulled the trigger again. The assailants ran out but a short time later, James turned up at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville with a gunshot wound to the upper chest.

      The identity of the two other men is still unknown. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office at 651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS.

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