WET BANDITS ARRESTED BY WCSO FOLLOWING $10K IN POOL PART THEFTS IN WALTON COUNTY

Posted on December 6, 2021

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December 6, 2021

FREEPORT, Fla— Two men are facing felony charges following an unusual string of burglaries in Walton County.

Between November 20th and November 28th Walton County Sheriff’s Office received four separate reports in reference to the theft of pool equipment and outdoor patio furniture totaling more than $10,000 in losses.

During the investigation into these incidents, a video was obtained showing two white males driving an older model white GMC Savana utility van utilizing a toolbox to steal the equipment.

Following a tip to Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers, Michael Rice, 41, and Christopher King, 53, were identified as persons of interest.

On December 3rd, Walton County Sheriff’s Office located King working in Freeport and conducted a traffic stop for driving with a tag not assigned to the vehicle.

King was interviewed and later admitted to all four crimes. Rice was later arrested and also admitted to participating in two of the burglaries.

Rice is charged with two counts of grand theft and one count of criminal mischief. King is charged with four counts of grand theft, attaching a license plate not assigned to a vehicle, and criminal mischief.

Both men received a $5,000 bond and were released the following day.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers for their assistance during this investigation.