Florida Sheriff's Deputy Captures Wanted Felon While on Jet Ski

WALTON COUNTY, Florida -- A Walton County Sheriff's deputy arrested a wanted fugitive on a jet ski following a short pursuit on foot over the weekend.

Deputies responded to Shore Drive in Miramar Beach on July 31 following an anonymous tip that Clyde Merrill Hunter had been staying there for more than a week, according to a news release.

While on the scene, deputies recovered numerous stolen tools outside the residence and inside the back bedroom where he was staying. Additionally, vessel registrations to two stolen wave runners out of Okaloosa County was found in a bag under Hunter’s clothes.

Hunter was spotted fleeing the area by deputies who tracked him to Cessna Park on County Highway 393 riding one of the stolen wave runners. He then got off the wave runner and made it onto the boat ramp when he was approached by the deputies. Hunter was given numerous verbal commands to “stop” as deputies repeatedly announced themselves as the “Sheriff’s Office”.

Hunter fled on foot and attempted to flee in the water by swimming away. He was taken into custody a short time later after a deputy jumped on the jet-ski and guided him back to land.

Found in the bag on the stolen jet-ski, deputies located burglary tools which include bolt cutters, a hammer, a drill, a screwdriver, a drill bit, a pry tool, a pick tool used for ignitions and a wrench.

Hunter, who had an active felony warrant from Walton County for grand theft auto, was just released on July 23 after recently being charged with several vehicle burglaries, armed and unarmed, theft of a firearm, and theft of several motor vehicles.

After he was released on bond, it appears Hunter continued his criminal behavior while on felony probation for his previous charges of grand theft.

Following his latest criminal spree, Hunter is charged with grand theft auto, violation of felony probation, possession of burglary tools, obstruction, burglary and grand theft.