Santa Rosa Beach Man Arrested for Armed Burglary

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) yesterday arrested Julian Kenneth Pehanick, 28, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., for armed residential burglary.

 The WCSO received a 911 call Aug. 25 at approximately 2:15 p.m. from a woman who alleged that an unknown man was inside her residence when she arrived home.  The investigation revealed the man shoved the woman and fled the scene after stealing a firearm from the residence. 

 A Be on the Lookout (BOLO) was issued to area law enforcement agencies after the victim provided a description of the suspect and a vehicle tag number. The vehicle was registered to Pehanick. 

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Whisper Lane after receiving information alleging that a screaming man covered in blood was discharging a firearm in public.  Upon arrival, deputies ordered the man, later identified as Pehanick, to lie on the ground.  He complied.

During the apprehension, deputies observed that one of Pehanick’s hands was bleeding from what appeared to be a gunshot wound.  When asked about the injury, Pehanick advised that he was shot by a man known as “Dude” with the firearm that was stolen from the Santa Rosa Beach residence.  Pehanick further alleged that he began discharging the firearm after “Dude” dropped it and fled into the woods.  The event transpired following an alleged drug-related transaction. 

 Deputies recovered the firearm from the shooting scene.  The victim identified the firearm and Pehanick as the person who was inside her residence. 

Pehanick was treated by South Walton Fire District paramedics and arrested by WCSO deputies.  He was charged with burglary with assault or battery, a first-degree felony; armed burglary, a first-degree felony; and grand theft of a firearm, a third-degree felony. He was booked into the Walton County Jail. 

 The case is considered active and ongoing.  Further charges are pending.