SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Suspect Arrested in Attack of Elderly Man at Local Pace Business

The suspect responsible for the assault of a 78 year old man that occurred at the Pace Home Depot on June 14, 2008 was arrested early this afternoon after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Erich Brinkmeier, 35 years old, turned himself in to the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000.00 bond for the charge of Aggravated Battery on an Elderly Person, a 1 st degree felony. The two month long investigation revealed the identity of the suspect after a woman was identified as being with the suspect at the store just prior to the attack. The female subject used a phone inside the Home Depot after the attack occurred. Investigators were able to obtain phone records, which led investigators to a relative of the suspect that lives locally in Pace. Further investigation revealed the identity of the suspect, Brinkmeier, who is active duty and currently stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi . Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Investigators contacted the appropriate personnel at the base and were able to determine that Brinkmeier was the individual involved in the incident that occurred at Home Depot. A warrant was issued by a judge, and Brinkmeier was afforded the opportunity to return to Florida on today's date to turn himself in on the charge of Aggravated Battery. Brinkmeier is currently in the process of posting his bond at the Escambia County Jail. A photograph of Brinkmeier is attached to this email.

Suspect:

Erich Richard Brinkmeier, W/M, 35 years old

5900 Block of Pinhurst Drive , Ocean Springs , Mississippi

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

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

Sheriff's Office Asking For Public's Help in Identifying Possible Witnesses to Attack

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office investigators are releasing three separate videos in an attempt to gather leads in their investigation relating to the assault of a 78 year old man at the Pace Home Depot earlier this month. The videos show a white 2008 Chevrolet Impala, 4 door, with a sunroof and a spoiler. This vehicle was seen pulling up and dropping of a female carrying a red handbag. The female went into the store and the Impala left the view of the camera. Investigators believe that the female witness and the owner of the vehicle may have some information relating to the case, or possibly witnessed the assault. Investigators want to speak to these possible witnesses in an effort to solve the crime that occurred around the same time frame. Anyone with information concerning the identity of the female witness, or the owner of the vehicle, is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 983-1190 or Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. Anyone providing information which results in the arrest of the suspect is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.00.

** Due to the large size of these videos (30-35 MG) some of you may not be able to retrieve the files. If that is an issue, they can be retrieved from my office after contacting me ***

Sheriff's Office Looking for Suspect in Attack of Elderly Man at Local Pace Business

On Saturday, 6/14/2008 at approximately 1050 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the parking lot of Home Depot located in the 4800 block of Highway 90. An anonymous complainant contacted the Sheriff's Office stating that an elderly man had been struck in the face over allegedly striking another vehicle with his car door. Upon the deputies arriving at Home Depot, they located the 78 year old victim and his wife. The victim's wife stated that someone had punched her husband in the face, knocking him unconscious. Deputies observed the victim covered in blood holding a bandage to his mouth. The victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he received numerous stitches to his lip due to the severity of the cuts. The victim was interviewed by deputies and he stated the following. The victim pulled into a parking spot and opened his car door. When he exited his car, a white male adult approached him and accused him of striking his car with the victim's door. The victim told the suspect that he didn't believe that he struck the man's vehicle, but apologized if he did. The suspect then struck the victim in the face with his fist and left the scene in his vehicle, leaving the elderly man unconscious and bleeding in the parking lot. A description of the suspect and vehicle is listed below. There were no scuffs or damage located on the victim's car door. The Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance in identifying the suspect and is asking for any witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information concerning the suspect is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 983-1190 or Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. Anyone providing information which results in the arrest of the suspect is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.00.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:

W/M, 30-35 years old, 5'10", short blonde or light brown hair, clean cut "full" face,

No glasses.

POSSIBLE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:

White car, possibly a Nissan or Toyota

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

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