Two documented gang members and brothers from the Pensacola area involved in a burglary spree, January 14, from Bagdad to Navarre are both behind bars this week according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Reports said they kicked in doors in broad daylight and stole handguns, jewelry, high end electronics, and money. According to the report, long-guns, televisions, game systems and other “normal” theft items the thieves left behind. The crimes took place in January with one brother, Jeremiah Cooler of Pensacola, arrested January 15 while his brother, Shawn Cooler, remained at large until April and was booked this week.
Reports said, on several different occasions, suspect descriptions described young adult black males, seen by neighbors and witnesses near the crime scenes. They also reported suspects driving a dark blue Pontiac sedan, reports said. During two burglaries, one in Gulf Breeze and one in Navarre, a neighbor’s surveillance camera caught a dark blue Pontiac Grand Prix. The general consensus among investigators, according to reports, agreed a group of young black males from the Escambia County, Pensacola area were responsible.
After deputies identified Shawn Cooler and his registered blue Pontiac Grand Prix, they determined he had an extensive criminal history involving burglary, theft, and narcotic use, reports said. Reports said Shawn Cooler was already on probation for burglary/theft with a pending violation for a new-law violation, narcotic possession and manufacturing, and not reporting to his probation officer.
Reports said subjects at Shawn Cooler’s last known address identified him as the sole owner and driver of the Pontiac Grand Prix and closely associates with his brother, Jeremiah Cooler, age 20 as well as others in the Escambia County area with extensive burglary, theft, and narcotic histories.
The day of the burglaries, in the south end of the county, deputies located a vehicle matching the description provided by a witness to a burglary in Navarre. Deputies initiated a pursuit through the National Seashores in Gulf Breeze but immediately terminated the pursuit due to heavy traffic, approaching school zones, and other unsafe conditions.
After judges signed warrants, deputies began to look for Shawn Cooler and his brother Jeremiah Cooler. Both were from Escambia County and were documented gang members, reports said. It was apparent they were also armed and on the run.
Twenty four hours after the pursuit, deputies found Shawn and Jeremiah Cooler hidden out in room 216 at the Red Roof Inn on Plantation Road, Pensacola. Reports said witnesses reported Jeremiah Cooler quickly walked to the Waffle House next door, dropped a backpack in the dumpster, and entered the restaurant. Deputies found Jeremiah and discovered handguns, an iPad, and coins in the bag matching the Navarre burglaries and a December, Pace burglary. Several other stolen items were found in Shawn Cooler’s Pontiac as well as another handgun and over 10 grams of cocaine in the hotel room.
Shawn Cooler was on the run until April, when deputies arrested him in Escambia County. Both Cooler brothers are in the in custody where they face multiple burglary charges. Escambia County is holding Jeremiah Cooler for Santa Rosa County without bond while Shawn Cooler is at Santa Rosa County jail under a $310,000 bond.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: SRSO: Gang members off street