Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a stolen vehicle call in the area of 834 Jonleen Drive near Fort Walton Beach. Deputies made contact with the victim, Joseph Freeman, who alleged a middle aged, slimly built, white male wearing camo pants .and a black shirt entered his Nissan van while he was loading it earlier this morning. Freeman approached the man and tried to remove him. As they struggled the suspect put the van in reverse and dragged Freeman backwards, causing him to strike a nearby fence. The victim suffered several cuts to his arm and leg that required stitches.The van was later located at a nearby apartment complex.
Later that day, an OCSO deputy spotted a man matching the suspect’s description and made a citizen contact. At the same time a tip was received that a subject matching the suspect’s description was seen walking near Pinecrest Mobile Home Park, the same area as the deputy’s location.
The suspect fled, sparking a short foot pursuit. He was captured and identified as Shauhn Nadal. Nadal was found to be in possession of the items stolen from the earlier carjacking, as well as a loaded firearm hidden on his person.
Nadal is charged with carjacking, resisting with violence, grand theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, possession of a concealed firearm and petit theft.
It is believed that the suspect may have been involved in additional recent burglaries in the local area. The investigation is continuing.
Navarre Newspaper reminds our readers that Shauhn Nadal. is presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
