SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

DEPUTIES ARREST THREE TEENS BELIEVED TO BE CONNECTED WITH LOCAL CAR BURGLARIES

Sheriff's deputies have made three arrests of Milton teens that are believed to be responsible for numerous vehicle burglaries in the Milton area. The arrests stemmed from a traffic stop during the early morning hours of 9/11/07 in which all three suspects were together in a vehicle that was speeding on Stewart Street . The vehicle, a white Geo Prism, was being driven by one of the suspects, Matthew Figuett (18 years old). As Fiquett pulled the vehicle over into a local convenience store, the deputy observed the driver and the front passenger reaching under the front seats of the vehicle. When the deputy approached, he observed a large military style survival knife sticking out from underneath the front passenger seat. The occupants of the vehicle were directed to step out of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle then gave deputies consent to search the vehicle. While searching the vehicle, deputies found three pairs of gloves, flashlights, pliers, knives, MP3 players, and backpacks full of CD's and car stereo equipment. The car stereos appeared to have been forcibly removed from vehicles. There were also numerous stereo face plates located in the backseat area of the vehicle. Deputies began to question the suspects about the items that were found and they began to give conflicting stories. Deputies then attempted to place handcuffs on the Fiquett to detain him, at which time Fiquett shoved one of the deputies and ran across the parking lot. The deputy chased Fiquett and grabbed him, at which time Fiquett elbowed the deputy in the chest and began to fight with the deputy. Fiquett was then handcuffed and taken into custody. Both of the other suspects were then detained and placed into the back of patrol vehicles. At that time, one of the other suspects began to kick the inside of one of the patrol vehicles to the point where his feet had to be restrained by deputies. This suspect had given deputies a false name. Deputies later identified him as Fabian Rutherford (17 years old). Sheriff's Office property detectives came to the scene and interviewed the three suspects and determined that they were responsible for numerous vehicle burglaries that had occurred over the past few weeks. Fiquett later took investigators to his residence to retrieve other stolen items. All three suspects were arrested and taken to the Santa Rosa County Jail, then booked on the below mentioned charges. Sheriff's Office Investigators believe that the suspects could be linked to up to 20 vehicle burglaries that have recently occurred. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office encourages vehicle owners to always lock their vehicles, as well as keeping their valuables out of view. If they don't they are making themselves more prone to being the victims of suspects that are involved in vehicle burglaries. Photographs of all suspects are attached to this email.

Suspects:

Matthew Brent Fiquett, W/M, 18 years old

6600 Block of Cedar Street , Milton , FL

Possession of Burglary Tools, 3 rd degree felony

Resisting an Officer with Violence, 3 rd degree felony

Fabian Joseph Rutherford, W/M, 17 years old

5300 Block of Ernie Newton Drive , Milton , FL

Possession of Burglary Tools, 3 rd degree felony

Resisting an Officer without Violence, 1 st degree Misdemeanor

Obstruction by Disguised Person, 1 st degree Misdemeanor

Violation of Probation, 1 st degree Misdemeanor

Justin Maylon Loveless, W/M, 17 years old

6500 Block of Park Avenue , Milton , FL

Possession of Burglary Tools, 3 rd degree felony

Violation of Probation, Felony

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

850-981-2136

850-698-4441