Multi-Agency Investigation Results in Arrest

MULTI-AGENCY
INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN ARREST

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Police Department, and the Parker Police Department announced today the recent arrest of David Roger Nelms, Jr, in connection to numerous burglaries across Bay County. The multi-jurisdictional investigations ended when a BCSO Criminal investigator spotted Nelms attempting to burglarize a pharmacy for a second time during the early morning hours on July 4, 2019.

In
March, 2019, investigators with the BCSO, Panama City Police Department, and
the Parker Police Department initiated investigations into approximately 20 burglaries
committed at various businesses in Bay County. The suspect seemed to target
pharmacies, although general businesses were also hit.

During
the investigations, information was developed that the suspect was a black male
driving a specific vehicle. The suspect was captured on security video at
multiple locations.

During
the early morning hours of July 4, 2019, a BCSO Criminal investigator spotted
the vehicle the suspect was believed to be driving at a pharmacy on 23^rd
Street, a location that had previously been burglarized by the suspect. The investigator made contact with the
vehicle as it was being driven from the pharmacy. The driver, the only
occupant, was identified as 44 year old David Roger Nelms, Jr, of 1918 Hamilton
Avenue, Panama City. The investigator found physical evidence at the pharmacy
that a burglary had been attempted. Nelms was placed under arrest and
interviewed.

Nelms
stated he was involved in a pharmacy burglary on Panama City Beach that had
been reported to the BCSO, and two other business burglaries reported to the
PCPD. Physical evidence was recovered linking Nelms to the burglaries.

Nelms has now been charged with eight counts of Burglary of a Business and two counts of Grand Theft by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The PCPD and the Parker Police Department have both charged Nelms with numerous counts of Burglary and Grand Theft. Each agency continues its investigation and additional charges are pending.

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Prepared
by R. Corley

Information
by Sgt. S. Rhinehart

Approved
by Sheriff T. Ford