Navarre Man in Custody after Burglarizing Home and Being Apprehended with Use of K-9 Zeus

October 21, 2016

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joshua James Cruz of Navarre for Burglary to a Dwelling with the assistance of a K-9.

At Approximately 5:30 pm, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the resident of 1850 Alhambra Street in Navarre, FL in reference to a burglary.

The caller informed 911 that when he arrived home and entered his residence he discovered a male at the rear of his house stealing items. The resident chased the male subject out the back door where the burglar jumped on a bicycle and attempted to flee the area. The resident chased and caught up to the burglar when he ditched the bike, threw the stolen items and bike into some water and fled into a nearby wooded area. The victim stated he heard the burglar yell to him repeatedly “I have a key” as he fled in the woods.

Upon arrival of assisting deputies a perimeter was setup and a K-9 was used to track the suspect that was described as an adult male with “Dominican” skin complexion wearing shorts and a shirt. A short time later deputies located the suspected burglar. As they attempted to apprehend him he resisted and the K-9 was used to subdue him. During the apprehension, the suspect did strike the K-9 several times.

Deputies identified the suspect as Joshua James Cruz.

Deputies did transport Cruz back to the residence where the victim positively identified him as the person he saw in his residence. Upon being searched, deputies recovered a single key on Cruz’s person which unlocks the residence.

The property recovered which was taken from the residence is valued at $5,000.00.

Cruz was issued a bond in the amount of $41,000.00 and is still incarcerated.

We are happy to report that the K-9 Zeus was examined and is in good shape.