Arrest made in burglary in progress in Bonifay

An arrest has been made and charges filed against a suspect in a recent burglary of an occupied dwelling. The information was received in a news release from the Holmes County Sheriff’s office.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office responded to North Waukesha Street to reports of a burglary in progress. Deputies arrived and found the suspect and senior adult victim standing in front of the residence.

The victim stated that she had been awakened by a loud noise and went to investigate. It was then that the victim discovered the suspect inside the south bathroom of her residence. The victim was able to talk the suspect outside where she used a cordless phone to call a neighbor, who in turn called the Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was identified as Michael Ray Land, 27, of Bonifay. Land was covered in blood and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled substance. Land was very confused and irate at the same time. Land stated he did not know where he was at, nor how he had gotten there. At one point Land became angry and began slinging his arms causing his blood to strike a deputy, according to the police report.

Land was transported to Doctor’s Memorial Hospital for treatment and later placed under arrest for burglary of an occupied dwelling, attempted theft and battery on a law enforcement officer. Land is currently being held in the Holmes County Jail on a total of $27,000 bond related to this incident. Land was out on bond for pending charges in Washington County and the State Attorney’s Office has begun proceedings to revoke that bond as well.

“Fortunately this was an isolated incident and by all indications a random act,” said Sheriff Dennis Lee. “It is for this very reason however, that the Sheriff’s Office is continuing to fight the war on drugs. It is a know fact that there is a cause and effect relationship between drug activity and property crimes. If we can slow down or stop the drug activity we will see improvement across the board.

“I would also like to commend the victim’s response to this situation. She was able to control herself, talk the suspect out of her residence and call a neighbor to come help. Her courageous actions diffused a potentially dangerous situation until law enforcement could arrive.”

Burglary suspect arrested in Alabama

On August 28, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary and theft complaint on Yarbrough Lane, which is located near the Alabama state line. A few hundred dollars worth of tools and equipment were reported stolen. Further investigation led to the identification of a suspect in the incident.

Felony arrest warrants were obtained for Gary Brannon Gilley (aka Brandon Gilley), 22, from the Geneva, AL area. Late September 3 Gilley was arrested by the Geneva Police Department and booked into the Geneva County Jail.

Gilley faces charges of burglary of a structure, petit theft and attempted burglary of a dwelling in Holmes County along with numerous other charges from Alabama authorities. The stolen property has been recovered and returned to the victim.

Sheriff Dennis Lee thanked Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey and his officers for their assistance in this investigation.