2 men arrested in dealership burglary, shooting
STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Dean

Police arrested two men in connection with the burglary of a Gulf Breeze car dealership, OBO Auto Sales. Robert Alan Salter, Jr., 20, and Paul Kenton Dean, 19, both of Pensacola, are being held at the Santa Rosa County jail on $100,000 bond with the charges of armed burglary, third degree grand theft, perjury and making a false police report.

On Jan. 6, Salter, an employee of OBO Auto Sales, claimed to have been driving by the car lot on Gulf Breeze Pkwy. when he noticed a light was on after hours. Upon checking on the establishment, Salter claimed that a man had broken into the business and was burglarizing it. He claimed an argument ensued, at which time the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot Salter in the thigh. The name Joel A. Dittenber was given to authorities as a suspect in the burglary and shooting.

After further investigation, authorities determined that the shooting never occurred at that location and Dittenber had nothing to do with the incident.

The investigation revealed Salter and Dean, burglarized the business Jan. 6. They forced their way into the business by breaking a window and then

removed various electronics and a safe from inside the business. The men loaded the items into a vehicle and took them from the scene.

Salter

After leaving the stolen property at Dean's house, Salter and Dean went to a wooded area attempting to open the safe by firing a handgun at it. Salter told investigators that Dean began firing his 45-caliber pistol at the safe. According to Salter, one of these bullets ricocheted and struck Salter in the thigh. Salter and Dean both concocted the story initially reported to divert attention from them.

A spokesperson from OBO Auto Sales was unavailable for comment.