PANAMA CITY BEACH — A man has been arrested on charges of stealing more than $20,000 in fishing equipment and attempting to sell the merchandise online, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
Adam Kessler Barnes, 36, of Panama City Beach was charged in connection with multiple burglaries in Bay Point and the PCB area. The first reports of missing equipment were made in April, with other burglaries in May and June, including from two storage sheds in Bay Point, police said. One burglary outside of Bay Point resulted in the theft of almost $20,000 in fishing gear, according to the BCSO.
Investigators discovered the gear advertised for sale on Craigslist in posts listed from Gulfport, Miss. Deputies set up a sting operation and arranged a purchase for one of the advertised fishing rods. After confirming the rod was one of those reported stolen, deputies obtained a search warrant for Barnes’ home.
Barnes returned to PCB from Gulfport on June 13, at which time BCSO executed the search warrant. Barnes was charged with four counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and two counts of grand theft. Additional charges are possible.
Most of the stolen items were recovered and returned to owners. However, deputies said they believe Barnes might have committed other burglaries, as about 40 items were not matched to reported thefts.
Anyone missing fishing gear who has not reported a theft can contact Investigator Robbie Claytor at 850-248-2116. BCSO said the remaining unclaimed items are “very unique” and will require descriptive details from callers to retrieve.