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Four Attempted Burglary Suspects Arrested

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: July 22, 2008

  Robert Williams

  Chad Wilson

  Charles Jackson

AVON PARK - Four suspects in the attempted burglary early today of the M&H Food Store, located on State Road 17, were behind bars after one was captured driving from the scene and three were tracked by a sheriff's K-9 unit.

Highlands County Sheriff's Lt. Tim Lethbridge credits a quick response by deputies for making the captures possible.

"We had an alarm call there," Lethbridge said. "The patrol deputies did an excellent job that night."

The store's video cameras caught images of three suspects attempting to cut the glass to get inside until the store's burglar alarm went off, he said.

When Deputy Brian Livesay arrived on scene he spotted a car pulling out from behind the Highlands Shrine Club, he said. Livesay pulled over the vehicle and arrested Robert E. Williams, 23, of Lake Wales.

A glass cutter, a bolt cutter and a pry bar were found inside the vehicle, Lethbridge said.

A K-9 unit was deployed and tracked the other suspects from where the vehicle was first seen. Deputy Justin Clemmons and his K-9 partner Naiche followed the suspects for about seven miles through orange groves and all the way to an area near Highlands Regional Medical Center.

Deputies arrested Chad Jamall Wilson, 18, of Frostproof.

"He said he's living in Winter Haven now but didn't know his own address," Lethbridge said.

Also arrested was Charles Andrew Jackson, 20, of Frostproof, and Manuel Valentine, 17, of Babson Park.

None of the suspects were armed. Identification cards for Jackson and Wilson were found inside the vehicle, linking them to the alleged getaway car.

All will be charged with attempted burglary.

Wilson and Jackson will be charged with possession of burglary tools.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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