SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

1-25-07 Update:

BOTH SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY AND TRANSFERRED TO THE SANTA ROSA COUNTY JAIL . THEY ARE EACH BEING HELD ON $100,000.00 BOND

USED CAR LOT BURGLARY/SHOOTING IN GULF BREEZE: UPDATE

A major change of events has occurred concerning the burglary/shooting that happened at OBO Auto Sales in Gulf Breeze on 1/06/07. Arrest warrants have been issued for the alleged shooting victim (Robert Alan Salter, Jr., DOB 04/03/86 ) and the alleged witness to the shooting (Paul Kenton Dean, DOB 01/24/87). After a thorough investigation, investigators determined that a shooting had never occurred at that location, and that the alleged suspect (Joel A. Dittenber, DOB 4/22/777) had nothing to do with the incident and was not even at the location of the crime.

The investigation revealed the following. Salter, an employee at OBO Auto Sales, and Dean, decided to burglarize the business on 1/06/07 . They forced their way into the business by breaking a window, and then removed various electronics and a safe from inside the business. The items were loaded into a vehicle and taken from the scene. After leaving the stolen property at Dean's house, Salter and Dean went to a wooded area in Escambia County attempting to open the safe by firing a handgun at it. Salter told investigators that Dean began firing his 45 caliber pistol at the safe. According to Salter, one of these bullets ricocheted and struck him (Salter) in the thigh. Salter and Dean both concocted the story initially reported to divert attention from them. A judge has issued arrest warrants for both Salter and Dean for the following charges:

Armed Burglary, violation of Florida State Statute 810.02 sub (2)

Grand Theft 3rd Degree, violation of Florida State statute 812.014 2.c 1.

Perjury, violation of Florida State Statute 837.012

Making a False Police Report , violation of Florida State Statute 837.05

Investigators have attempted to contact Dean and Salter so that they could turn themselves in to authorities. They have not been able to locate them. The Sheriff's Office is asking for the publics help in locating Salter and Dean so the warrants can be served. Anyone with information concerning their whereabouts can contact the Sheriff's Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP.

Paul K. Dean

  Robert A. Salter Jr.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

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