Walton Sheriff's Office assists in manhunt

DeFuniak Springs, FL (October 21, 2009) – The Walton County Sheriff’s Office assisted in today’s multi-state manhunt of the five suspects involved in this morning’s strong-armed robbery of a Samson business owner.  At around eleven o’clock this morning, the suspect’s vehicle crossed the Florida Stateline along Highway 81 in Northern Holmes County.

With authorities in close pursuit, the vehicle would turn on to State Road 2.  After stopping their car, two of the suspects fled into the woods.  The other three were taken into custody at the scene.  The Walton County Sheriff’s Office along with several other agencies assisted the neighboring Holmes County Sheriff’s Office by providing personnel and equipment.  Two Walton County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units, and its Office helicopter (Air Two) took part in the search for the two remaining suspects.

Several Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies also helped to provide manpower for the search through a densely wooded area.  Tonight, the five suspects are “behind bars” at the Holmes County Jail in Bonifay awaiting extradition back to Geneva County, Alabama.

Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson says “we are more than pleased to be able to provide a neighboring law enforcement agency on either side of the Stateline with personnel or equipment”.