Apalachicola Police makes key arrests in string of local burglaries

Kudos to Police Chief Bobby Varnes and the Apalachicola Police Department for making separate key arrests that will more than likely bring to an end the string of residential and car burglaries that have plagued the city over the last several weeks.

Apalachicola police officers now have in custody 34-year-old Lance A. Flowers of 30 Gibson Road in Apalachicola for his involvement in at least three reported incidents of car break-ins and one reported incident of burglary of an occupied dwelling. Flowers is also suspected of being involved in the attempted break-in of two pickup trucks in the Lafayette Park area the night of December 27, 2013. That incidemt was thwarted by Apalachicola Police Officer Sgt. John "Chet" Turner who drove by the scene while patrolling the city.

"Working the case were Capt. Steve James and Sgt. Turner who recovered several items from Flowers possession that were identified and reported as stolen from various locations throughout the city", Chief Varnes said. 

Flowers is now being held in the Franklin County Jail on charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling, two counts of burglary of a conveyance, grand theft of a firearm and petit theft.  

The investigation into past break-ins is still ongoing and officers are asking that anyone with information regarding these incidents to please contact the Apalachicola Police Department at (850) 653-9755.  

In a separate unrelated arrest made by Apalachicola Police Officer Ginger Creamer, 21-year-old Kamron Lee Barwick of 8543 Highway 386 in Wewahitchka is now in custody for the attempted December 31, 2013, robbery of an Apalachicola man. 

Barwick accompanied by two male juveniles ran into a man with a vehicle in which Barwick was the driver, while the man was riding on a bicycle in the area of 17th Street. Once the man was knocked to the ground, the three exited the vehicle and tried to rob him.  

Barwick was booked into the Franklin County Jail on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted robbery. The two juveniles were picked up by the Department of Juvenile Justice.   

While in custody Barwick confessed of his involvement in two open burglary cases being investigated by the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.   He told Apalachicola police officers that he was involved in the burglary of two homes, taking several items, including $4,500 in cash from one home and $2,500 in cash from the other. Officers were able to recover some of the stolen items and charges are pending in that matter.

"At least we can now close the cases as being solved", said Chief Varnes.