November 29, 2019

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Bomb squad technicians called to the scene of a structure fire determine substances found inside were fake explosives.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Liberty Volunteer Fire District responded to Smith Road at approximately 5:30 am Friday following reports of a structure fire. Note this time is earlier than originally released by our office.

A Liberty Volunteer Firefighter arrived first and left his personal vehicle running while he got out to evaluate the fire.

A male covered in blood ran from the residence, stole the volunteer firefighter’s pick-up truck and fled the scene.

The suspect, later identified as William Larrick II, 38, was located on Royale Street in the DeFuniak Springs city limits and was taken into custody.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office discovered what appeared to be suspicious materials inside the home and requested a bomb squad respond.

Explosive technicians located the suspected explosives and determined it to be fake C4 (inert calcium bicarbonate). Smith Road was reopened and the WCSO VICE/Narcotics team is investigating drug materials.

Larrick has been arrested for grand theft auto. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

More information will be released once it becomes available.

READ THE ORIGINAL RELEASE HERE.