On May 24, 2024, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department arrested 43-year-old Scarlett Williams of Panama City Beach for falsely reporting a bomb threat at the police department.
- The arrest came after an extensive investigation by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, with assistance from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Panama City Beach Police Department.
The incident began when the Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s Communications Center received a call from a female claiming that a bomb had been placed inside the police department. After a thorough search of the building and surrounding area, it was determined that no explosive devices were present.
The Fort Walton Beach Special Investigations Unit quickly identified and located the caller, Scarlett Williams. She was taken into custody and charged with False Report Concerning Planting a Bomb, Explosive or Weapon of Mass Destruction, which is a felony offense.
- In a press release, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department stated, “This hoax call took away valuable time from three law enforcement agencies that could have been used to serve their communities.”
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department encourages anyone with additional information on this case to contact them at 850-833-9546 or the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-8477.
