SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFFS OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Suspect Apprehended By K-9 During Navarre Business Burglary

On 6/01/09 at 0140 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to a business alarm at 2515 Highway 87 South (Kwik Shop Convenience Store). Deputies arrived two minutes after the call had been dispatched. When deputies arrived, they found that the front window of the business had been shattered. As deputies positioned themselves around the building, they could hear noises consistent with someone still being inside the business. K-9 Deputy Bozard and her K-9 “Ix” responded to the scene to assist. Bozard and “Ix” then prepared to enter the store. Prior to entering, Bozard gave multiple announcements instructing the suspect surrender or “Ix” would be released. There was no response from inside the store. “Ix” was then allowed to search the store, and immediately went to a walk-in ice cooler located at the front of the store. “Ix” began to bark at the cooler. Bozard immediately went to the cooler and noticed a white male suspect inside the cooler. The suspect, later identified as Ronald Walsh, refused to obey the clear commands of Bozard and other deputies that were present. After numerous requests for the suspect to place his hands in view of the deputies with no compliance, “Ix” was given the command by Bozard to apprehend Walsh. Walsh then complied and “Ix” was commanded to release Walsh. Walsh was then taken into custody by deputies. Walsh was checked by emergency personnel at the scene and he didn't require any emergency intervention or hospitalization. Walsh also provided deputies with a false name, and his true identity was not known until he was fingerprinted at the Santa Rosa County Jail. It appeared that while Walsh was inside the store, he was attempting to steal cigarettes, and had also allegedly tampered with the ATM. It was also discovered that Walsh had two outstanding warrants for his arrest (one out of Bay Minette Police Department for Violation of Probation, and one out of Okaloosa County for Violation of Probation). Walsh was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail and booked on the below mentioned charges. A mug shot of Walsh is attached to this email.

.

Suspect: Ronald Joseph Walsh, W/M, 45 years old, no address on file

Charges:

Burglary, Obstruction by Disguise, Criminal Mischief ($6500.00 bond)HOLD PLACED FOR OTHER AGENCIES

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

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