Niceville teen accused of burglarizing beach vendor on Destin Harbor

DESTIN, Fla. – A teenage boy from Niceville has been charged for allegedly burglarizing a beach vendor business in Destin.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), a Destin business owner reportedly spotted someone breaking into her business on the Destin Harbor via her surveillance cameras last week after dark. She called the OCSO, and deputies were on the scene within seconds, detaining a 17-year-old the agency said was caught at the site.

Based on their findings, deputies said they believe the teen burglarized nine kiosks along the docks. A consent search of his vehicle allegedly yielded numerous burglary tools, methamphetamine, stolen property from the kiosks, and numerous other items stolen from a recent rash of beach vendor box break-ins, the OCSO said.

OCSO investigators say the 17-year-old is a suspect in multiple beach vendor burglaries in Destin in recent weeks.

Numerous power tools, cordless drills, keys, cash, and money boxes were reportedly recovered.

As of now, the Niceville teen is charged with burglary to an unoccupied dwelling, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a controlled substance, said the OCSO.

“This was simply great teamwork by an observant, fast-acting business owner and our quickly responding deputies, partnering to protect property at that very moment. Those efforts, in turn, led to solving additional crimes in our community,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden.