On January 9th, 2012, after consulting with the First Judicial “State Attorney’s Office”, DeFuniak Springs Police obtained arrest warrants for Robbery on “Samuel Paul Wadsworth” 41 yoa, and Principle to Robbery on “Rachel Wingate” aka “Rachel Ausbon” or “Rachel Morris” 45 yoa.
Several agencies received tips from the public. All tips were followed up on immediately, developing two credible suspects.
DeFuniak Springs Police collected physical evidence, linking one of the suspects to the Peoples National Bank of DeFuniak Springs. We are awaiting analysis from the FDLE Crime Lab on several pieces of physical evidence that investigators believe will enhance the evidence that has already been developed.
After a multi-jurisdictional investigation by the DeFuniak Springs Police, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Holmes Correctional Institution, Walton Correctional Institution, Mexico Beach Police Department, Dothan Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), two suspects were apprehended in Bay County on similar and non-related incidents.
Investigators with DeFuniak Springs Police traveled to Bay County during the overnight hours on Friday January 6th, until early morning hours of Saturday January 7th, 2012. Interviews with a suspect in custody determined that the suspect detained by Bay County SO was in fact the subject that committed the Bank Robbery at Peoples Bank in DeFuniak Springs. It was also determined that a female accomplice was with the suspect during the crime, acting as a getaway driver.
It was also determine that Wadsworth and Wingate are responsible for at least three other similar and non-related incidents and are currently being held for charges in Bay County.
Lieutenant Tilman Mears
Special Operations Division Commander
mearstf@defuniakspringspolice.net