Executive Summary
- Matthew Teems faces charges of attempted carjacking, vehicle theft, and residential burglary.
- Authorities state Teems attempted to enter a vehicle occupied by a woman and two children.
- The suspect was apprehended after abandoning a stolen vehicle and hiding in a residence.
- Sheriff Eric Aden cited inter-agency cooperation as key to the swift arrest.
A 30-year-old Fort Walton Beach man faces multiple felony charges, including attempted carjacking and residential burglary, following a series of events that prompted a multi-agency law enforcement response on Thursday night.
Matthew Teems was taken into custody by Okaloosa County deputies after an investigation that began with Fort Walton Beach Police officers searching for a reported stolen vehicle. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), deputies located the vehicle and subsequently tracked Teems as he attempted to evade capture.
The OCSO reported that prior to his apprehension, Teems had attempted to forcibly enter a running vehicle occupied by a woman and her two small children. The sheriff’s office stated that the victim managed to escape the situation and safely contact emergency services via 911.
Following the initial incidents, investigators determined that Teems abandoned the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. The suspect allegedly ran through residential yards, jumped fences, and entered a private home in an effort to hide from law enforcement. The OCSO noted that Teems later admitted to fleeing from police.
Sheriff Eric Aden praised the coordination between agencies in a statement regarding the arrest. “This arrest is a strong example of how teamwork and communication between our agencies keeps our community safe,” Aden said. Teems is currently being held in the Okaloosa County Jail without bond.
Investigative Outlook
The arrest underscores the operational risks associated with suspects attempting to evade custody, particularly when such attempts escalate to confrontations with unrelated civilians, as seen in the reported attempted carjacking. The apprehension relied heavily on inter-agency communication between municipal police and county deputies, a critical component in managing crime sprees that cross jurisdictional boundaries. As the case moves to the prosecution phase, the accumulation of charges—ranging from property crimes to violent felonies against persons—will likely result in significant legal scrutiny regarding the defendant’s bond status. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
