A trio has been arrested in connection with a houseboat burglary over the weekend.
Woodrow Carr, Jr., 51, of Altha, Curtis Lipford, 41, of Marianna, and Cassey Marks, 25, of Ariton, Alabama, have all been charged with burglary and criminal mischief.
Deputy Gary McGhee was at Ocheesee Landing Saturday when he was approached by someone alleging Lipford, Carr and Marks broke a window to gain access to his houseboat. A set of bolt cutters were reportedly used to bust the hasp off a generator that was locked. The owner said permission was never given for the trio to be on the boat. Lipford reportedly knew the owner’s grandson, but was told not to be on the houseboat unless the grandson was present.
A witness said the trio went from the landing to the houseboat in a small boat, appeared to attempt to pry open the doors, but failed. Shortly after, a broken window was noticed and lights were on inside the houseboat. The owner was then notified by the witness. The small boat, that also belonged to the owner, was retrieved, stranding the trio on the houseboat until authorities arrived.
Major Michael Bryant, Sgt. Jared Nichols, FWC Ofc. Arnold Loyed and two other FWC officers arrived and located the trio on the houseboat. They were taken into custody, but statements were not taken due to them reportedly being heavily intoxicated. A juvenile was also removed from the boat.
Bond was set at $3000 for Lipford and Carr. Marks was found to have a violation of probation warrant outstanding, so her bond was set at $3659.
