Neighbor thwarts attempted burglary

FT. WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WALA) - A Niceville man is charged with multiple felonies after authorities said an alert neighbor thwarted his attempt to get-away from a home being burglarized.

Deputies who went to the scene of a burglary in progress at the 800 block Culp Avenue in Fort Walton Beach said witnesses had Woods detained.

According to reports, neighbor Leroy Bolton's son told deputies he heard glass breaking from a home nearby around 9 p.m. and went to investigate. He said he saw 23-year-old Timothy Andrew Woods II looking at him through a window. Woods then ducked out of sight and locked the door.

Bolton said the suspect then jumped out the window and began fighting with his son.

“He told my son that he had a gun and that he'd better back off. He went to get in his car and that’s when my son stole his keys and threw them away” said Leroy Bolton.

A few minutes later, deputies said Woods came around to the front of the house and demanded his keys.

Bolton refused to give the keys and said Woods then hit his son in the head and tried to take his phone.

Deputies arrived and arrested Woods.

Bolton said they actually own the trailer and the guy to whom they were renting it, had just moved out.

“He didn’t know that but he really got fooled. He went to jail for breaking into an empty trailer,” Bolton said.

Another witness said Woods threw a bag towards the fence prior to deputies arriving. Deputies found the bag, which contained a loaded .38 caliber handgun.

Woods has been charged with aggravated assault, battery, displaying a weapon during commission of a felony, burglary, criminal mischief, and petty theft.