Several arrested by BCSO on burglary charges

Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen announced today the arrest of two men in connection with a spree of convenience store burglaries during the night and early morning hours of January 25 through January 26.

The burglaries took place in Springfield, Panama City, Lynn Haven, and in the unincorporated areas of Bay County. Security video captured one of the burglaries which revealed the vehicle used by the suspects. This video was shown to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office who helped identify the vehicle as similar to one driven by a suspect in a recent stabbing case—Michael Corley.

The Springfield Police Department was able to locate the vehicle in the parking lot of a motel on West Highway 98. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and inside officers found a tire iron like the one used to smash glass and make entry into the convenience stores. At several of the stores, the two suspects could not make entry because their attempt to smash the glass door set off an alarm. The Panama City Police department was able to develop information and locate the clothing worn by the suspects during the burglaries.

The BCSO and the PCPD conducted an interview today with Michael Corley. The PCPD interviewed Austin Shaffer. Michael Corley, DOB 7/8/85, of 128 Seneca Avenue, and Austin Shaffer, DOB 7/28/53, of 1616 Friendship Avenue, were arrested and charged with five counts of Burglary of a Structure and two counts of Attempted Burglary of a Structure.

Busy weekend

Sheriff Frank McKeithen announces the arrest of numerous Bay County residents as his deputies' vigilance and good police work netted three groups of vehicle burglaries.

Early Saturday morning Deputy Stephen Rhinehardt stopped two juveniles on Panama City Beach. These juveniles (Austin Raley 17, and Anthony Walker 15) had property on them that Deputy Rhinehardt learned was stolen from vehicles.

Later Saturday Night Deputy Kevin Harder observed a suspicious vehicle in the Kingswood area. After a chase deputies and Panama City Police arrested David Nadler 18, William Michael Raya 22, Kelly Reedy 22, and Benjamin Morgan 18, on numerous vehicle burglaries in the Kingswood and Cove area.

On Sunday, Deputy Bill Strickland stopped several juveniles in the Callaway area and they had property on them that were later reported stolen from vehicles. Strickland arrested Caleb Snell, 17 and Investigators have obtained warrants on others involved.

The arrests associated with these three groups will clear up numerous vehicle burglaries which have occurred in the Bay County Area. Investigators are working with the other local agencies to identify all involved with more arrests and more charges pending. Investigators are also trying to identify all the victims of these persons.

Investigators note that all three groups were targeting unlocked vehicles, doing what is commonly known as "car shopping" or "car hopping". There is still some property that is yet to be identified where it was stolen. If your unlocked vehicle was burglarized last weekend, please contact Investigator Jason Larson at 248-2128 or call your local police agency.