SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Two suspects in Jail After Shoplifting of Alcohol Turns into an Armed Robbery

Two suspects were arrested late last night after their attempt to steal wine from a local grocery store was foiled. Shortly before midnight , deputies were dispatched to the Winn Dixie on Highway 90 in Pace in reference to an armed robbery. A store employee told deputies that two white males had entered the store with a backpack and concealed two bottles of wine inside the backpack. The employee confronted the individuals and grabbed the backpack containing the wine. The suspects began to flee, at which time the store employee grabbed the individual that had been carrying the backpack. The suspect (later identified as Donald Stelly) pulled out a knife and threatened to stab the employee. The employee let go of Stelly, and Stelly advanced towards the employee demanding the backpack. After a few seconds, Stelly fled from the store, leaving the backpack and wine behind. Both suspects fled from the store and got inside a Chevy El Camino. They then fled from the scene at a high rate of speed. Deputies were able to intercept the vehicle a short distance from the location of the crime. The suspects were immediately identified by store employees as the suspects that committed the crime. The other suspect that was present during the crime with Stelly, and also drove the El Camino away from the scene, was identified as 17 year old Tanner Fincher. Based on all statements and evidence that was present, both Stelly and Fincher were arrested for Robbery with a Weapon, Petit Theft, and Possession of Alcohol under 21. Due to Fincher being a juvenile, he was processed at the Santa Rosa County Jail then transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Pensacola . Stelly was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail and is being held on a $51,000.00 Photographs of both suspects are attached to this email.

SUSPECT #1:

Donald Wayne Stelly, W/M, 19 years old

4000 Block of Kentwood Street , Pace , FL

SUSPECT #2:

Tanner Joseph Fincher, W/M, 17 years old (JUVENILE)

4300 Block of Forte Street , Milton , FL

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net