A 16-year-old who stole a car in Walton County leads to a pursuit with Okaloosa Deputies in the early morning hours Wednesday and captured carrying a fully loaded handgun.

Just after 1am Walton County dispatchers received a call from a resident on Dalton Way advising he was in his home when he heard his Dodge Charger start up in the driveway. He told dispatchers he looked out the window and saw the vehicle leaving the driveway. He said the vehicle was traveling toward North Holiday Road. Deputies responded while looking for the vehicle and a BOLO was sent to Okaloosa given the direction of travel and the proximity of the county line.

A short time after Okaloosa advised they were in a vehicle pursuit with the stolen Charger. Less than 10 minutes later OCSO advised the suspect had crashed at Cape Drive near Wright Parkway with two different objects and then a wooden privacy fence where he became lodged and was unable to continue.

The subject fled on foot with Okaloosa County deputies in pursuit. The suspect, a 16-year-old male, was located and placed into custody. A fully loaded semi-auto handgun was located in the suspect’s pocket. He was identified as Eric DeWayne Graves of Ft. Walton Beach.

A records check found that the suspect has an extensive criminal history to include multiple vehicle thefts, narcotics violations, criminal mischief, and burglary. It was further found that Graves has two active warrants for Grand Theft Auto out of Santa Rosa County.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged Graves with fleeing and eluding law enforcement, carrying a concealed firearm, resisting arrest without violence, and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams. He is also facing charges in Walton County for Grand Theft Auto related to today’s theft.