Police Blotter: April 15-17

Man accused of burglarizing rectory

A Destin man is accused of burglarizing a rectory, taking items that belonged to the priest living there as well as items belonging to the church.

The priest called Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies on March 25 around 5 a.m. about the burglary, according to the arrest report. The priest reported that someone had removed the screen from a window, climbed in while the priest was sleeping in another room and taken several items.

Missing items included $450 belonging to both the priest and the church and the priest’s car keys, the report said. The priest suggested that a man who “occasionally slept behind the church” might have been the burglar.

Around 12:30 p.m., On Star notified deputies that the priest’s car was stationary and deputies located it.

Howard Abraham Lightner, 34, was found asleep in the car, according to the report. He admitted that he knew the vehicle belonged to the priest, but did not admit to burglarizing the rectory.

The priest identified Lightner as the man who slept behind the church. Lightner allegedly had scrapes on his legs consistent with having climbed through a window.

He is charged with burglary, theft of more than $300 but less than $5,000 and grand theft of a vehicle.

His next scheduled court date is May 5.

Man facing drug charges after traffic stop

A Crestview man is charged with having cocaine after a traffic stop for following too closely resulted in an alleged drunken driving arrest.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies noticed 40-year-old James Cleveland Lawson’s vehicle driving on U.S. Hwy. 98 near Marler Street in Destin around 3:30 a.m. March 28, according to the arrest report. A deputy noted that the vehicle was following too closely and made a traffic stop.

He noticed a “moderate odor” of alcohol coming from both the vehicle and Lawson’s breath and, after field sobriety tests, arrested Lawson for drunken driving, the report said. During an inventory of the vehicle before it was towed, deputies found a small plastic baggy with a white powder in the center console.

The powder tested positive for cocaine. Lawson refused to answer any questions.

He is charged with possession of cocaine.

His next scheduled court date is May 5.