Okaloosa County :Update: 4th ARREST MADE IN DESTIN “CAR HOPPING” SCHEME

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jul 31 2020 10:27 AM

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a fourth person in connection with a rash of car

burglaries at a Destin Condominium Complex that included theft of a firearm.

18-year old Rozelle Payton of Fort Walton Beach was located last night in Destin during a traffic stop

on Harbor Boulevard.

Payton had warrants for armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm, and resisting arrest stemming from an

incident July 29th at Islanders Condominiums at 502 Gulf Shore Drive.

Deputies had arrested three suspects that night in connection with a car burglary and theft of a firearm:

15 year old Tremell Gilbert, 13-year old Keelee Christensen, and 20-year old Jalen Taylor. One of the

suspects however, identified as Payton, ran from the scene.

Payton however was located shortly before ten o’clock last night as a passenger in a car that was the

subject of a traffic stop. Deputies found an unholstered .38 special revolver matching the description of

the gun stolen during the June 29th car burglaries within Payton’s reach. Payton was arrested on a charge

of unlicensed carrying of a concealed weapon. He was also served the warrants for armed car burglary,

grand theft of a firearm, and resisting arrest without violence.

The driver of the vehicle, 28-year old Jonathan Yates, was charged with driving with a suspended

license, subsequent offense.

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