Point Washington Manhunt Over

I know the Fire Dept keeps contact info for all commercial buildings. I bet the sheriff's office does also.

I feel that the WCSO should post some sort of update on their site. It still says that "schools are in lockdown." Seems it would be easier for them to diseminate information that way vs fielding all the calls they must be receiving. We all do have a right to know a little something, IMO

I agree. He has been running for almost a month from TX. He had enough sense to get far away from TX asap. It wouldnt surprise me to find out he has a military background and is very capable of surviving over night in a state forest.

I agree Jodi. That makes bike riding in Daughette very unappealing.......

I would predict if he is smart, he has broken into an empty home or took a homeowner hostage to stay out of sight for a few days. There are a lot of empty homes even in Point Washington. If he is in a secure place out of sight he could hole up for several days before making a move. How long will the police keep this much attention on PW?

I was thinking this as well.. many empty homes all around. I am sure the police have all this taken into consideration - who knows what is really going on? the sheriff's updates contain no new information - and I'm sure they don't want to release pertinent info while the search remains in progress.

I hope the cops will stay as long as necessary. Just knowing they are nearby, guarding the hood, is a comfort.

That crossed my mind, too. How many of those homes are listed for sale? Should realtors be especially cautious when showing property in the area? I'd hate to surprise this guy.

He could be hiding in a vacant home. As a matter of fact a screen is off of the front window of a home for sale on E.Mitchell, it is leaning up against the house on the front porch. It is really obviouse but I guess patrols could have missed it. Although they did have alot of K-9's here even as late as 10pm. He was barefoot at the time a neighbor saw him which would make running through the woods sans forestry trail pretty painful, especially once the adrenaline wore off. When Jay saw him he was just walking along the "boardwalk" that connects to his pier. Jay's house is only about 4 or 5 houses away from where he ditched the truck and fired at police. Then this guy sort of walked past Jay who was fishing and they even said hello to each other in passing. Keep in mind I've heard at least 8 law enforcement vehicles and occupants were chasing him! He obviously is good at not arousing suspicion from people.

He could be hiding in a vacant home. As a matter of fact a screen is off of the front window of a home for sale on E.Mitchell, it is leaning up against the house on the front porch. It is really obviouse but I guess patrols could have missed it. Although they did have alot of K-9's here even as late as 10pm. He was barefoot at the time a neighbor saw him which would make running through the woods sans forestry trail pretty painful, especially once the adrenaline wore off. When Jay saw him he was just walking along the "boardwalk" that connects to his pier. Jay's house is only about 4 or 5 houses away from where he ditched the truck and fired at police. Then this guy sort of walked past Jay who was fishing and they even said hello to each other in passing. Keep in mind I've heard at least 8 law enforcement vehicles and occupants were chasing him! He obviously is good at not arousing suspicion from people.

wow, just imagining the guy who has been being hunted down for over a day come and say hi to you and you then wouldnt know that it was him.

That crossed my mind, too. How many of those homes are listed for sale? Should realtors be especially cautious when showing property in the area? I'd hate to surprise this guy.

I think realtors should contact police and give them keys/codes to access all properties in the area. Everyone should call their friends in the area and check on them, if he has taken someone hostage give the friend a word to repeat back if they are in danger. Afterall if any of the scenarios that people have brought up are true it would take alot of luck for the police to just stumble across that situation.

You are making me realize this guy has such a 'generic' look, he could just throw a ballcap & sunglasses and quietly hang out on the beach for months. (Not now of course...!) In his criminal records (Harris County TX) and he made off with nearly $16,000 cash from the bank robbery. Hotels take cash and he surely could have a fake ID.

From what it sounds like, he wasn't clothed to be carrying all that cash. So he is possibly out in the woods with no resources. That can make for a desperate individual. I am keeping things locked up and my eyes open!

okay... Now i am getting scared....
I don't like the desperate part...
lets hope he is in a nice motel somewhere right now! LOL!

So I just got back from driving the neighborhood, looking for a safe place to walk the dogs cuz they are getting stir crazy. There are about 6 Sheriff vehicles at the corner of Juniper and E. Mitchell. The neighbor whose yard they are in said they have recovered the suspects gun. Yay!!!!! The little b'tard is unarrmed, hee hee and we are not. He apparently jumped in the bay and got right out at the next house where the police found his gun. The saga continues...

this little town of SoWal is too dam small town to mess with. if you live here, you know what I mean.

I really am impressed with the presence of law enforcement, the numbers, and their persistence. thanks to Walton County Sheriff's Office and all personnel from other counties, etc.

To all law enforcment personnel - thank you so much for protecting our community and children/schools, in the most professional manner, while continuing the search.

You are assuming he had only one gun, downtown. Never be sure about something so uncertain. BTW, weapons can easily be made out of many things found around most people's houses.

I wonder if the cops have done a gps location on his cell phone. Hmmm??? Or, if he has posted anything on his facebook page. Sounds like he needs a good spanking.

SN, "murder" or attempted murder? And would that have been for shooting at the deputy?

I don't know what his official charges are for yesterday's activities, but at this point he could gun down most of Point Washington and the charges wouldn't be any worse than what they are now.

News for everyone though - there is a certain old fart in Old Point Washington who likes to call everyone everyday, and who likes beer - and the last message he left on our recorder stated that he is sitting with his double-barrell and his 12-gauge loaded, waiting. I am trying to get Fuzz to please call him and settle him down. Meanwhile, do NOT cut between Gilmore and 395 via School Rd if you are an innocent male with blue shorts. And please, nobody go over there to check on him.

I wondered the same thing about the authorities trying to locate him via his cell phone???

Anyone know if Alaqua would "loan" out dogs for a short time???

You are assuming he had only one gun, downtown. Never be sure about something so uncertain. BTW, weapons can easily be made out of many things found around most people's houses.

I wonder if the cops have done a gps location on his cell phone. Hmmm??? Or, if he has posted anything on his facebook page. Sounds like he needs a good spanking.

You are right he could have another gun and could make a weapon. He would have to have had cargo shorts to carry a few hand guns I would imagine. My 357 Magnum fits in my cargo shorts pocket easily I dont know if I could carry much more. Anyway at least he is down one weapon which hopefully has clues to other things. However, you are right it is uncertain and we should be cautious. I am glad to see the officers are still dilligently searching this area. They have done a great job. So many agencies responding so quickly and with such firepower. The commando style unit that came through this neighborhood last night was something I have never seen except in the movies.

Dang - I was hoping to come home and hear that this guy had been caught. I think our neighborhood should have a block party when this drama is over!

Bay Elementary and law enforcement handled to school lockdown very capably yesterday. I never had any doubt that Kate wasn't safe, and the emergency plan they had in place worked beautifully. The kids were OK, maybe more bored than anything. The parents were worried of course, but most remained calm and cooperated with the plan. Our new principal, Tamara Hightower, the teachers, and staff of Bay deserve a big thanks for keeping our kids safe. And thanks to the staff at SWHS for becoming a last minute shelter for kids who could not go home and their help in organizing the Bay student pickup.

What a great feeling to know that jdarg! I was sad to see Tamara leave Butler, but knowing she is at Bay is wonderful! You have a great principal

A friend of mine with small children could not return home yesterday and spent the night away from home. Retuned today to find the interior of the house out of order. Not sure if it was said boogie man or the WCSO checking unlocked, unoccupied houses. I'm pretty sure vacant houses have been thouroughly searched, so it is pretty unlikely that he is holed up in one.

South Walton County, FL (August 29, 2009) ?

All available Walton County Sheriff?s Personnel continue to search for Matheos ?Matthew? Pitikas. The 24-year-old is believed to be the suspect who led Walton County Sheriff?s Deputies on a ?high Speed? pursuit? along U.S. Highway 98 Friday afternoon. With speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour, Pitikas exchanged gunfire with law enforcement officers before crashing his Dodge pick-up truck off Walton County Road 283 in the Point Washington Community. The suspect was last seen running into the surrounding woods.

Initially at around 12:30 Friday afternoon, a Walton County Deputy stopped the suspect because his pick-up truck matched the getaway vehicle used last month in a bank robbery in Houston, Texas. At the time of yesterday?s stop, Pitikas fired a handgun at the deputy. There was an exchange of gunfire, and fortunately the deputy was ?not? struck.

The suspect is described as being five-foot-six inches tall, and around 175 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He also reportedly has a go-tee beard. Pitikas? hair may be longer than last seen on his picture.

Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson Jr. says ?the search for Pitikas is one of the largest Manhunts? which has ever taken place in Walton County.? Besides going door-to-door, personnel from numerous local and state agencies supplied equipment and manpower to assist in conducting an aerial and water search for the suspect. Those agencies included the Bay and Okaloosa County Sheriff Offices?; The Florida Highway Patrol; The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the FDOT Motor Vehicle Compliance; and the FBI.

Sheriff Adkinson also requested assistance from Eglin Air Force Base in regard to the aerial search. The military personnel expressed a willingness to help, but were unfortunately grounded at the time.

Sheriff Adkinson also wants to commend the residents of the Point Washington Community. The Sheriff says ?the patience displayed by the parents of the elementary and pre-school children who had to be evacuated out of the affected area yesterday was outstanding?. Under tense circumstances, their help proved tremendous in getting the kids out of possible harm?s way. The Sheriff adds ?that ensuring the safety of those children was his top priority?.

In addition, the residents in the area provided Sheriff Deputies? with water and other essentials before supplies could be brought to the personnel involved in the Manhunt.

Although the search has moved to a new phase, a large presence of Walton County Sheriff?s Office Deputies continue to patrol the area where the suspect was last seen at more than 24-hours-ago. Residents in the area are asked to remain vigilant and to continue to make sure their doors and vehicles are ?locked? at all times?. Do not open your door unless you know the person, or unless it?s a uniformed law enforcement officer who properly identifies him or herself.

If you may see the suspect, or a suspicious person in the area, contact the Walton County Sheriff?s Office immediately at (850) 892-8111.

You are assuming he had only one gun, downtown. Never be sure about something so uncertain. BTW, weapons can easily be made out of many things found around most people's houses.

I wonder if the cops have done a gps location on his cell phone. Hmmm??? Or, if he has posted anything on his facebook page. Sounds like he needs a good spanking.

Or twittering (tweeting?). On the run right now. Lost gun. Dang!

More details please Grace - Area the house is in, what kind of disorder, how you know vacant houses have been searched? I don't think SO would leave a home out of order without notifying the homeowners.

Then again, I didn't think the SO would let a armed bank robber/shooter/fugitive run around family filled subdivisions for this long. He should have been "taken out" in the very beginning. He made a choice with the things he did. He made the decision to shoot at LEO/citizens. Thus, he lost most of his rights at that point, IMHO.

Us gun totin' republicans are getting edgy - .

More details please Grace - Area the house is in, what kind of disorder, how you know vacant houses have been searched? I don't think SO would leave a home out of order without notifying the homeowners.

Then again, I didn't think the SO would let a armed bank robber/shooter/fugitive run around family filled subdivisions for this long. He should have been "taken out" in the very beginning. He made a choice with the things he did. He made the decision to shoot at LEO/citizens. Thus, he lost most of his rights at that point, IMHO.

Us gun totin' republicans are getting edgy - .

They live off Cabbage Rose, right down the street from us. Said someone had been in the house, some items had been moved. They leave their house unlocked, as do we. We had 4 officers at our door at 11pm. I don't know for a fact that vacant houses were searched, but if they were doing door-to-doors and came upon an unlocked vacant house, I'd assume they checked it out.

I have a friend over on Eden Drive. She was still under the impression that there was a lockdown. From those in Pt. Wash, what should I tell her? She's in her 70's.

They live off Cabbage Rose, right down the street from us. Said someone had been in the house, some items had been moved. They leave their house unlocked, as do we. We had 4 officers at our door at 11pm. I don't know for a fact that vacant houses were searched, but if they were doing door-to-doors and came upon an unlocked vacant house, I'd assume they checked it out.

Thanks - but please don't leave your homes/cars unlocked - ever. Just think - if someone was ever running from the law in our area, it would be a perfect opportunity for that person to get food, phone service, internet access, money(or pawnable items), SHOES, etc..... Oh wait - that sounds like whats happening right now!

The Mayberry Era ended a few years ago...