North Florida - On the morning of June 4, 2009, the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office received an alarm for a residential burglary in the First District Area of Dixie County. When the first officers arrived on the scene, they met with family of the victim’s who lived near by. This family member was able to provide a tag number for a suspicious vehicle that was scene in the area prior to law enforcements arrival. A perimeter was established in the neighborhood and the K-9 Team from Cross City Correctional was summoned to the scene. When the K-9 Team arrived, they were able to establish a scent leading away from the house and into a nearby wooded area. The K-9 Team was then able to track the fleeing suspect through the area where it was determined that the suspect was picked up by a waiting vehicle. Based on evidence found in the area, it was determined that this vehicle would be the same vehicle that the family member found in the area when she first arrived. Sheriff’s Deputies were then dispatched to certain areas where they were continuing to search for the suspect vehicle.
At approximately 11:00AM, deputies saw the suspect vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. 19 in Old Town and were able to perform an investigatory stop on the vehicle at that time. During this stop, deputies were able to establish grounds to believe that two of the suspects were involved in the burglary in the First District and at least one burglary in Lafayette County. Arrested on the scene were Cody Eugene Pridgeon of Old Town and Michael Christopher Hackle of Cross City. Both subjects were transported to the Dixie County Jail where they were charged with burglary and Grand Theft.
Additional investigation throughout the day and into the morning of June 5th, led to the execution of two residential searches on June 5, 2009. Allen Lynn Thompson of Old Town was arrested for Dealing in Stolen Property, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Later on the afternoon of June 5th, Dwayne D. Mertz of Old Town was arrested for two counts of Dealing in Stolen Property and Resisting an Officer without Violence.
Based on the investigation thus far, it appears as though, there will be additional counts of burglary, theft and other charges from several different counties in North Florida and within the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida. This investigation is continuing with additional charges and arrests expected.
The initial investigation appears to reveal that the individuals are involved in an elaborate scheme to burglaries residential homes throughout North Florida and once inside of the homes steal jewelry, money, guns and other items of value. The individuals would then sell or trade the items. Initial estimates are that the group could be involved in is between fifty and one hundred burglaries.
The following agencies are assisting with the investigation. The Dixie, Lafayette, Levy, Taylor, Suwannee and Madison County Sheriff’s Offices, the State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Pridgeon, Hackle and Thompson remain in the custody of the Dixie County Sheriff under a bond of $150,000. Mertz whose bond was set at $50,000 has since posted bond and has been released from custody.
Sheriff’s Office Investigates