BONIFAY — A man wanted for the violent kidnapping and beating of a Chipley woman was arrested Saturday night while eating in a Bonifay restaurant.
Christopher Cruz Walley, 26, of Corbin Road, Chipley, was captured at about 7 p.m., according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Bonifay police, working off a tip received by WCSO Tips Line, verified that a stolen vehicle Walley was believed to be traveling in was parked at the Pho Noodle & Kaboodle (Old Simbos Restaurant) in Bonifay. Officers entered the restaurant and took Walley, who was eating, into custody without incident, WCSO said.
Walley was charged with aggravated battery, kidnapping/false imprisonment and grand theft.
Walley is suspected of administering an unprovoked beating Wednesday night that left a woman unconscious, then putting her in the trunk of an Oldsmobile and driving around throughout the night and into the next day. The woman came to and was able to use the vehicle’s trunk release lever to open the trunk and escape to a nearby home. She hospitalized in critical condition.
“We could not be more grateful to our staff and assisting agencies who have worked tirelessly on the apprehension of Christopher Cruz Walley,” Sheriff Bobby Haddock said. “We are so proud of our local residents who came together and assisted with invaluable tips and leads. This is the result of what happens when law enforcement and the community work together. This was a violent attack on a member of our community and we were committed to ensuring he answered for those crimes.”