UPDATE: According to a press release from the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, Jonathan Hill of Jay is also facing multiple charges of criminal mischief, larceny and burglary in relation to a burglary spree which took place last week in Jay. Through their investigation, deputies learned Joshua Gay was not alone during the burglary of the Farmers Country Market. Hill apparently went inside the store with Gay and took several items including cigarettes, lighters and condoms.
Following his arrest, Hill took deputies to the location of the stolen items from the Farmers Country Market. Hill remains in Santa Rosa County Jail with a bond of $81,250.
Joshua Ryder Gay, 18, was arrested with charges of burglary, larceny, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools after deputies with Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office discover Gay hiding in the bushes near the businesses which were broken into.
According to Gay’s arrest report, deputies listed Gay as a possible suspect in connection to recent burglaries at the Jay businesses of the Farmers Country Market, Jack’s Vapor and the Exprezit store.
Deputies watched surveillance video of a white male throwing a hatchet through a glass door of the businesses. In the report, deputies state the total damage to the Exprezit totaled $5,000 and the total amount taken of $456.34. The total damage to the Farmers Country Market was $400 with more than $2300 taken. Jack’s Vapor was $250 in damage with a total amount taken of $155.98.
Upon further investigating the scene of the burglaries, deputies discovered a blue pillow case and white plastic bag containing items consistent with the three burglaries, the report stated. Deputies also discovered a black back pack with containing a wooden handled hatchet and more items consistent with the burglaries in the same area.
While searching an area on Blackmon Drive in Jay, deputies located Gay in some bushes, when he then raised his hands and told deputies “You caught me,” the report said.
While being handcuffed, deputies found a large sum of money on Gay while being searched, the report said. Gay told the arresting deputy he wanted to speak to a lawyer.
The owners of the burglarized businesses were able to positively identify the stolen items found by the deputies, the report said.
Gay remains incarcerated at the Santa Rosa County Jail with a $81,250 bond amount.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Update: A second person faces charges in Jay burglaries