The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of a Wednesday morning armed home invasion in Laurel Hill.

The homeowner fired his gun at the intruder but deputies say there is no indication inside or outside that anyone was struck. The bullet was found lodged in a kitchen microwave.

The resident at 7200 State Road 85 said he was home in his bedroom when someone broke into the house shortly after 11 a.m. and started trying to enter.

He says he was able to see a hand and arm reaching in and it appeared the intruder had a handgun.

The resident fired his own gun through the bedroom door and the man fled.

Deputies found indications the intruder may have forced his way into the house through the back door. An OCSO K9 was brought to the scene and established a track that ended on a nearby roadway.

Anyone with information on the break-in is asked to call the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-689-5705 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS.

CRESTVIEW — A traffic accident involving four motor vehicles occurred about 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon on South Ferdon Boulevard.

A truck, SUV and two cars were involved in the wreck in the northbound lane near Domino's Pizza. 

Lt. Andrew Schneider of the Crestview Police Department said two people were transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The wreckage was cleared approximately a half-hour later.

If the following text looks familiar to you, someone is trying to scam you out of your cash.

If it doesn’t look familiar but someone sends it your way — ignore it!

“Hope you get this on time, We made a trip to Manila, Philippines and had our bags stolen from us with our phones and credit cards in it. The embassy is willing to help by letting us fly back home since we still have our passports, We just have to pay for our ticket and settle Hotel bills. Unfortunately for us, I don't have access to funds without my credit card, I've made contact with my bank but they need more time to come up with a new one. I was thinking of asking you to lend me ($2,850USD) that I can give back as soon as We get home. We really need to be on the next available flight. I'm so confused at the moment I need urgent help.

"Money Gram is the best option to send money to us. Let me know if you need my details (Full names and Present location) you can also reach me via email. I will forever be grateful if you can help me.

All hopes on you.”

This is the type of scam email that’s recirculating in Okaloosa County:

"We are also seeing a resurgence of scams that tell people something along the lines of 'There is a warrant for your arrest, or you missed jury duty, or you owe money to the IRS and you have to get Green Dot or prepaid money cards and send the numbers to avoid arrest," an OCSO spokesperson said.

The scammers often will use the names of well-known local public servants to try to add to their credibility.

The OCSO has taken reports from residents who fell for these bogus money grabs.

Please share this information with senior citizens in your circle of influence since they are most often targeted by these imposters.

For additional information, contact the OCSO's Crime Prevention Unit at 850-651-7153.

HOLT — A 50-year-old Holt man is accused of hitting a woman during an argument.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies were called for a disturbance Nov. 12, according to the arrest report. A “third-party eyewitness” reported that James Arlies Simmons had been arguing with a woman over taking the witness to the hospital.

Simmons pushed the woman “with an open hand to the back of her head” before striking her with a closed fist, the report said. The witness tried to intervene, but allegedly was struck with Simmons’ elbow.

The witness called 911 for help, but Simmons took her phone away and told the dispatcher it was a medical issue and everything was “all right,” according to the report. He then left the home with the phone, preventing them from speaking to law enforcement.

He returned to the home later, but denied striking the victim, the report said.

He is charged with battery as a second or subsequent offense and obstructing justice in a misdemeanor proceeding.

His next scheduled court date is Dec. 16.

CRESTVIEW — Want to help senior citizens affected by crime? Then there is a place for you in Okaloosa County Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office.

Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Training will be provided. Seniors vs. Crime is a Florida Attorney General's Office project.

Contact JB Whitten or Sheila Parish, 306-3176, for more details. 

Multiple Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office employees say they or a family member have recently received scam text messages on their cell phones.  

The phony text message advises the person that their credit card account information has just been jeopardized and that they need to immediately call 406-272-8231 to resolve the issue and to protect the account from unauthorized purchases.

An OCSO investigator who called that number from his office phone says he got an automated voice in response. In this case, the person on the recording identified himself as being with Bank of America and said the caller’s bank card had been compromised and they needed to enter their 16-digit card number, three-digit security code, expiration date, and address the card was mailed to.

Please be aware of this scam circulating in Okaloosa County and share the warning with others.

CRESTVIEW — A 45-year-old Crestview man is accused of threatening a woman with a broom while intoxicated.

The woman said that Shannon Dean Couch was intoxicated and causing a disturbance on Nov. 15, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies' arrest report.

She said he’d slapped her on the arm and “got in her face threatening her,” the report said. She said she left, but Couch followed her and “armed himself with a broom.”

He began to walk aggressively toward her and she said she feared he would hit her with the broom, according to the report. When officers spoke to Couch, he “used profanity” and refused to follow deputies’ orders before being arrested.

He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, battery as a second or subsequent offense and resisting or obstructing an officer without violence.

His next scheduled court date is Dec. 16.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred Saturday night, Nov. 29 at Little Caesar’s Pizza on North Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

Just before 10 p.m., a black male armed with a pistol entered the restaurant's lobby and demanded money from the employees. The suspect then fled the business in an unknown direction with an undetermined sum of money.

The Crestview Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the case. If anyone has any information, observed the robbery or the fleeing suspect, they are asked to call 850-682-3544.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department is investigating a brush fire that occurred in an open field Thursday afternoon behind 432 Garden Street in Crestview.

Firemen responded to the scene at 3:09 p.m. and left at 4:30. CFD Deputy Chief Tony Holland said there were no injuries or damages to the lot. The fire's cause is still being determined.

According to the fire report, crews started putting the fire out from the north end off Third Avenue and worked their way south along the back edge of the yards on Garden Street, then went into the back lot of the residence, put out the rest of the fire, and examined its outline for remaining hot spots.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department has experienced plenty of change since scandal rocked the agency three years ago, but more work lies ahead, Chief Tony Taylor said.

“It’s an arduous process to rebuild a police department,” Taylor said during a Thursday afternoon media conference. “Sometimes you have to tear something down to rebuild it.”

Taylor referred to scandal under former Chief Brian Mitchell as the agency’s “darkest hour.”

PAST CONCERNS

Key problems leading to departmental dysfunction and loss of citizen trust included corruption, abuse of power “and the good ol’ boy system,” Taylor said.

“There was a lot of distrust, a lot of division in the agency” when he arrived, he said, speaking for his second anniversary with the CPD.

Taylor’s investigations found operational problems including:

•No organizational structure with clear lines of command

•Rampant rumors inside and out of the department

•No vetting process for promotions

•Minimal background checks on new or current officers

•No formal process for receiving and documenting complaints against an officer or the department

•Disconnect with the community

•Unsecured records

•Inadequate policies and procedures that were mostly ignored anyway

ROOTING OUT 'CANCER'

“It was a cultural thing,” Taylor said. “Corruption is a cancer. It metastasizes and spreads. It you don’t root it out, it returns stronger than before.”

Taylor dismissed seven officers — six more resigned while under investigation — and instituted vigorous background checks that exceed Florida Department of Law Enforcement standards.

Renovating the police’s Whitehurst Municipal Building headquarters included building a secure records storage room, moving dispatch functions into the building, and providing round-the-clock resident access.

A new Special Enforcement Team replaced the former Street Crimes Unit — which was disbanded because “it was there the corruption was centered,” Taylor said — and focuses on narcotics investigations.

In addition, the department raised $30,000 in four months to reestablish its K9 unit. “I don’t think that would have been possible without the trust of the community,” Taylor said.

Now, he and command officers are revising the department’s policies and procedures and writing a new mission statement, which will be introduced at an open house next week.

His next goal is to obtain accreditation for the department, which will subject the CPD to even more scrutiny.

“In another year or two, I think we’re going to be where we need to be,” Taylor said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Crestview Police Department headquarters' grand reopening

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview

NOTES: The department will announce its new mission statement as part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

CRESTVIEW — Lawmen arrested Joshua Lambert-Albright, 22, of Baker, on third-degree felony drug charges after a suspicious-person call led to a meth bust.

Crestview Police Officer Josh Ellison on Friday inspected the area of 1501 E. James Lee Blvd. He walked up to an abandoned concrete structure in the wooded lot between American Self Storage and Dollar General, where he heard "two or three subjects begin running through the woods" after announcing his presence, according to the arrest report.

Due to the brush's thickness, Ellison did not pursue the subjects, but he returned to the location with Crestview Police Sgt. Howe. No one was hiding inside, but police found items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine sitting on a window sill, the report said.

These included 100 percent lye, a water bottle containing liquid and a white powder, a stripped lithium battery and an instant cold pack. The white substance field tested positive for pseudoephedrine.

The suspicious items called for the police department to request the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office to assume the investigation. The Okaloosa County Multi Agency Drug Task Force also assisted.

Communication between the joined forces led investigators to Lambert-Albright, who had been detained for trespassing at a residence that connects to the wooded lot.

Lambert-Albright admitted to being inside the concrete structure with another subject and fleeing when Ellison first arrived. He also admitted that the found items were his and that he had been using methamphetamine for the past two years and has been cooking it for a year and a half, the report said.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department estimates that damage from a house fire at 698 Long Avenue in Crestview total $15,000 to $35,000.

Investigators determined the source of the fire was lint in a dryer exhaust system and clothing.

Crestview and Eglin Air Force Base firemen responded to the scene at 8:59 a.m. Dec. 8.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.

CRESTVIEW — Tonight, Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor made several promises that coincide with what he called the department's "cultural and physical transformation."

"No longer will the Crestview Police Department serve our community in word only," he said.

"No longer will a physical barrier exist between the police department and the community...

"No longer will we close our doors at 5 o'clock every evening and on weekends."

"No longer will you feel isolated from your police department."

Those vows follow the Whitehurst Municipal Building's renovation. The Stillwell Boulevard facility now has a secure records storage room and dispatch functions, which make round-the-clock access possible.

A physical barrier literally separated the community from police, with residents talking through a PA system or phone line to dispatch at their former PJ Adams Parkway location, Lt. Don Fountain said.

Now, residents can open a never-locked door to access communications officers protected with bullet-proof glass.  

"We're at a stepping stone in the Crestview Police Department," Assistant Chief Rick Brown said. "We have become an elite department in the county."

Round-the-clock access, along with improved police training and coverage, contribute to that superior status, he said.

In addition, Taylor unveiled the CPD's new mission statement.

"The mission of the Crestview Police Department is to provide the community with the highest quality of life possible through enhanced professional law enforcement services," he said. 

The department will "proactively and responsibly strive to protect our citizens from crime through effective and efficient delivery of services and through partnership with the members of the community working toward our common goals and objectives," Taylor said.

The CPD is "firmly committed, without prejudice, to protecting the lives and liberty" of residents, Taylor said.

All this change  was necessary after corruption and scandal rocked the CPD.

"Over the past few years, we came through some very difficult times," Mayor David Cadle said, referring to scandal under former Chief Brian Mitchell.

Taylor dismissed seven officers since he took over, and six more resigned while under investigation. In addition, he implemented thorough background checks that purportedly exceed Florida Department of Law Enforcement standards.

Cadle said he knows some people sympathize with fired police officers, and even support some of their actions.

But he also made a promise.

"Those individuals who brought disgrace on this department will never again influence any decision regarding the Crestview Police Department," he said.

News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes contributed to this report.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department has made an arrest in Dec. 15 purse snatching case.

Patrol officers were called to McDonald's at 302 W James Lee Boulevard Monday evening. After contacting the victim, a description of the suspects was given to CPD units in the area. A short time later, two individuals were located who matched the description provided by witnesses and the victim.

One fled on foot once he was approached by a patrol unit. The other suspect was located a short time later several blocks from McDonald's.

Robert Hutcheson, 15, was arrested for robbery by sudden snatching, a felony; possession of a controlled substance; and resisting  an officer without force.

Kelbie Ford, also a 15-year-old male, was arrested for being a principal to robbery by sudden snatching.

Officers transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice for secured detention.

UPDATE: Okaloosa County School District Program Director of Community Affairs Henry Kelley said grief counselors will be available when Shoal River Middle School students return to school on Jan. 5 following Christmas break. Kelley said Okaloosa Sheriff's investigators, School Resource Officer Dep. Danny Dean and school officials are at the deceased student’s home with his family as they work to determine the cause of death.

The death is still being treated as a suicide but that has not yet been officially declared, Kelley said.

___________________________________

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County School District and Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office investigators report a Shoal River Middle School student committed suicide last night or this morning.

The name of the 13-year-old boy is being witheld while the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"There is a response team from the school district getting the information and meeting with the family," school district Program Director of Community Affairs Henry Kelley said.

Initial reports erroneously reported it was a Davidson Middle School student who had died.

OCSO spokeswoman Michele Nicholson said deputies were called to the boy's home around 8 p.m. Thursday night.

"A parent had returned home to find the boy unresponsive and not breathing," Nicholson stated in an email to the News Bulletin. "Attempts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful and he was declared deceased at North Okaloosa Medical Center."

Kelley said because school ended yesterday for the Christmas break, counselors are not meeting with individual students or classes.

"The students are now off for Christmas," Kelley said. 

However, counselors will be available after the break. 

Kelley said further information will be provided as the investigation continues.

Operations and Security Capt. Stefan W. Vaughn graduated from the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Senior Leadership Program, the Okaloosa County Department of Corrections announced.

Each candidate must submit an extensive application to the Florida Criminal Justice Institute.  The application requires a minimum tenure of five years in criminal justice, a history of increasing supervisory responsibility, and the agency chief’s endorsement. 

The course of study includes topics such as; leadership, communication, criminal justice research, budgeting, managing change, and team building. 

 “Selection for attendance in the Senior Leadership Program is no small accomplishment,” Chief Correctional Officer Paul Lawson said. “This part of the program includes formal committee presentations of individual research projects that focus on criminal justice issues, principles and practices.”

The 10-month, Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Senior Leadership Program is designed to develop and enhance Florida criminal justice executives' leadership skills. 

“We are extremely pleased to have Capt. Vaughn representing and working for the betterment of the Department of Corrections,” Okaloosa Commissioner Kelly Windes said.

Vaughn is one of 33 graduates of the 17th Criminal Justice Executive Institute Senior Leadership Program.

CRESTVIEW — A 29-year-old Crestview man is charged with siphoning 5 gallons of fuel from an acquaintance’s vehicle.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies were called by a neighbor who witnessed the crime Dec. 5, according to the arrest report. The neighbor said he’d seen Earl Ray Watson put a blue tarp up to block the view.

He said Watson moved back and forth between the victim’s vehicle and Watson’s vehicle, the report said. Watson allegedly admitted to deputies that he took the fuel.

He is charged with burglary of a conveyance and petit theft. His next scheduled court date is Jan. 27.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department responded to a residential fire alert at 10:35 a.m. Dec. 20 at 601 S. Main Street.

Officials determined its cause was a candle set too close to combustibles. They estimated content damage at $5,000.

The one person injured refused treatment. There were no fatalities.

LAUREL HILL — Deputy Joe “Joe Mac” McLaughlin may be retiring, but Laurel Hill School hasn’t seen the last of the jovial, well-loved school resource officer.

After an 18-year career at the close-knit kindergarten-through-12^th-grade school, McLaughlin wants to return as a youth counselor or mentor to the Hoboes.

“I’ve always felt drawn to try to make a difference in the kids’ lives,” he said. “So many young people don’t have fathers or role models in the house.

“I’ve been here so long with these kids, I’ve seen them grow up. I can see them come in the door and I can tell if something’s wrong. They know they have that confidence that they can talk to me.”

“He’s a permanent fixture here and we’re just glad he’s not leaving us,” Principal Lee Martello said. “We’ll just adopt him in a different role.”

“We’ll still be able to have him use his knowledge and expertise as a community policing role model in the area,” Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley said. “He’s a good deputy and he’s a good man.”

“I’ve seen generations come through here,” McLaughlin said as he patrolled the halls for the last time Thursday morning, pausing to look at photos of senior classes and smiling as he recalled the faces smiling back at him.

BIG SHOES TO FILL

The sheriff’s office announced that Ruckel Middle School SRO and former environmental officer Deputy David Holt will be Laurel Hill’s new officer, starting Jan. 5.

Holt has worked with both Martello and Assistant Principal Greg Brock at other schools, McLaughlin said.

“He knows the administration,” McLaughlin said. “He can hit the ground running.”

McLaughlin was selected as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the 2010-11 year, the first time a school resource officer received the honor.

“I never looked at it as being about me,” McLaughlin said. “What made it really special is it recognized the Youth Services SRO program” at the sheriff’s office.

“I’ve been blessed to share two great families: the sheriff’s office and Laurel Hill School."

As McLaughlin strolled the hallways, students preparing to leave for Christmas vacation ran up to hug him or shake his hand.

“We’re going to miss you!” sophomore Kaylee L’Homme said, giving “Officer Joe,” as he’s known throughout the school, a big hug. “He picks on me every day. I’m going to miss him so much.”

McLaughlin laughed as he explained that “picking on” Kaylee amounted to making sure she’s completed her homework and is studying hard.

'CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF'

McLaughlin said in the months leading up to his retirement, he at first “was like a cat on a hot tin roof. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was all over the map, but I reached out to the Lord and he said, ‘Whoa, just calm down. It’ll work out.’”

Since then, a volunteer position as an in-school mentor has begun to crystallize, much to the delight of McLaughlin and school administrators, who laud his ability to gently guide students in a positive direction.

“I want to make a difference in young peoples’ lives,” McLaughlin said. “That’s so crucial. I’m just not sure exactly what it’s going to be, but I’m sure God’s going to open those doors.

“I’ve been real blessed as an SRO. It was never like going to a job. It’s been very, very special. Along the way, you’re going to have an impact on the child, and you hope it’s in a positive way.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

CRESTVIEW — An Addison Place resident narrowly averted causing a fire that threatened not only her apartment but also her neighbors’ residences when a neighbor stepped up to extinguish it.

Floren Jilek, a ground floor resident, was grilling pork chops when she stepped into the apartment she shares with her 16-year-old son for a few minutes.

In her absence, grease from the chops dripped onto the electric grill heating elements and caught fire.

Jack Barr, an upstairs neighbor, and a friend were returning to the complex off P.J. Adams Parkway when they saw “a lot of smoke downstairs,” Barr said.

“This lady came running outside holding a fire extinguisher and shouting, ‘I don’t know how to use this thing!’” Barr said.

Barr said Jilek handed her phone to his friend, Dan Denham, a Navy sailor trained in combating shipboard fires, because she was too excited to accurately report the incident.

While Barr blasted the grill and deck area with the fire extinguisher, Denham provided the Crestview Fire Department details of the incident.

“When I opened the grill, it could’ve gone bad,” Barr said. “I was using an oven mitt to open it up and it kind of flared” when he let in oxygen that fed the fire.

Barr extinguished the fire by the time firefighters arrived a few minutes later.

The report stated the grill wasn’t damaged in the incident, but the burning grease and fire extinguisher residue soiled Jilek’s deck.

“There (was) definitely a big mess on her porch,” Barr said.

The incident illustrates the importance of never leaving food that is cooking, whether on an outdoor grill or in the kitchen, Fire Chief Joe Traylor said.

“Anytime that you’re cooking, don’t allow yourself to be distracted, because it only takes seconds to have a fire that could wind up not only ruining your meal but damaging your possessions,” Traylor said.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.