News Release

FWC officers assist in apprehending burglary suspect

October 17, 2007
Contact: Lt. Kent Harvey 850-251-7251

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers assisted the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in capturing a burglary suspect Oct. 16.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a burglary in progress at about 10:30 a.m. in the northeast section of the county, according to FWC Lt. Kent Harvey, supervisor for Leon and Jefferson counties.

A resident came upon the suspect, James Waldon Jr., 29, of Valdosta, Ga., while Waldon was burglarizing the homes. The suspect fled, but the resident was able to get a license plate number and a description of the truck.

"The sheriff's office discovered the truck had been stolen from Waldon's father and that the suspect was in possession of a revolver. The truck and gun had been stolen in Valdosta, along with some lawn equipment. Apparently, the suspect attempted to pawn the stolen equipment in Tallahassee," Harvey said.

"The suspect had also stated to family members that he wasn't going back to jail, and he wouldn't be taken alive. He had been released from prison Oct. 8," Harvey said.

Jefferson County Sheriff David Hobbs was responding to the call when he saw the suspect and attempted a traffic stop.  The suspect refused to stop and led the sheriff's office units on a pursuit that ended when the vehicle crashed inside the city limits of Monticello.  The suspect then fled on foot with the firearm, Harvey said.

A reverse 9-1-1 call was put out to residents in a three-mile radius of the area describing the nature of the crime and giving information on the suspect along with preventative measures to take.  The Monticello Police Department responded and locked down three local schools.

FWC personnel offered assistance, and the sheriff requested air support, if possible, and additional officers.  FWC officers Stefanie Wilcox, Mike Keever, Mike Fish, Billy Kemp, Charles Higman, Scott Olson, Tom Shipp and Harvey responded, along with pilot Frank Utermohlen with an FWC helicopter, Harvey said.

A perimeter had been established around an eight- to 10-block area from where the suspect crashed the truck.  A command post was set up and manned by deputies and FWC staff.

"It was determined the suspect was probably waiting for nightfall to try to escape.   The perimeter was maintained and the FWC helicopter kept the suspect pinned down.  As night fell, we decided to keep the aircraft in the air and have a K-9 unit en route in case the suspect was spotted," Harvey said.

Shortly after dark, the helicopter pilot started using his search light and night-vision device to locate the suspect.  The helicopter was in the air for about 15 minutes when the suspect tried to make a break for it. 

"A citizen called 9-1-1 to report he had spotted the suspect on U.S. 19 North near the Jefferson Nursing Home. This was about 500 yards north of our perimeter," Harvey said. "The citizen gave an accurate description of the suspect and a general area where Waldon was hiding.  We shifted the perimeter north."  

FWC Officer Cricket Bailey and K-9 Buddy arrived on scene. After getting a description of the suspect and being briefed about the firearm he was carrying, Olson, Bailey and Buddy began tracking the suspect.  About two-tenths of a mile into the track, Buddy alerted that he was close to the suspect.  Bailey located the suspect standing behind a tree, and Olson took him into custody.  Buddy then located the gun the suspect had thrown down as the officers approached. The pilot used his spotlight to illuminate the area for the officers. 

Harvey said the suspect stated during his arrest, "I give up. It's not worth it. I can't get away from you all. I can't take it anymore."

"The physical stature of the suspect didn't lend itself to running away from a K-9," Harvey said, adding that the suspect is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 220 pounds.

Buddy, a 6-year-old yellow Labrador, has been an FWC K-9 for four years.

The suspect had been on the run for more than 10 hours. FWC officers took Waldon into custody and turned him over to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office personnel.

"The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was very appreciative with our response and help.  They were impressed that the FWC has the ability to mobilize equipment and manpower very quickly and efficiently," Harvey said. "Everyone involved in this capture deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. The cooperation between the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the FWC was instrumental in catching this suspect."

The suspect has been charged with the following:

In Florida:  armed burglary, dealing in stolen property, defrauding a pawn broker, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony fleeing and eluding an officer.  More charges are pending in regards to the burglaries.

In Georgia:  felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony theft of equipment and felony theft of a firearm.