On the evening of Wednesday, May 24, 2023, Walton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the 76 gas station near Waffle House in DeFuniak Springs.
During the traffic stop, a passenger of the vehicle was identified as a suspect wanted on multiple charges out of Bay County.
Shortly after the stop, the suspect fled on foot into a nearby wooded area.
A perimeter was established by Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police.
The Walton Correctional Institution K9 team was contacted and responded to the scene. WCI’s K9 team were able to track the suspect who was quickly taken into custody.
Zachary Aaron Pascarella, 26, is being charged with six counts of simple battery, three counts of fleeing and eluding, three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting with violence in Bay County. Pascarella is also being charged for resisting without violence in Walton County.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank DeFuniak Springs Police Department and Walton Correctional Institution’s K9 team for their assistance.
