DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — Two men were arrested Monday night after a woman reported a disturbing encounter at her doorstep involving strangers asking for a phone and claiming to be chased, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said.
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Deputies responded to West Raphael Road, near Oakwood Lakes Boulevard, after a resident called 911 around 11 p.m. to report two unknown men at her door repeatedly ringing the bell.
One of the men reportedly told the woman he was being chased. The entire incident was captured on the home’s Ring doorbell camera.
WCSO deputies canvassed the area and located two suspects. They were identified as Ashlynn Michael Banks, 31, and Julian Bartlett, 18, both of DeFuniak Springs.
Mr Banks was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and failure to appear. Mr Bartlett was charged with loitering and prowling.
Both men were booked into the Walton County Jail without further incident. The WCSO said additional charges are pending.
In a statement, the agency praised the resident for acting quickly and reminded the public to avoid opening the door to strangers late at night and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
