The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating the suspect/s responsible for a vehicle burglary that occurred on Navarre Beach. On Thursday April 22, 2010, Sheriff's Deputies responded to Navarre Beach and met with Bobby Franklin (73 years old). Franklin is the former Ole Miss Football quarterback which led them to win the championship game in 1959.  Franklin also played safety for the Cleveland Browns from 1960-1966. Franklin then went to work under Tom Landry as the assistant coach of the Dallas Cowboys, taking them to two Super Bowl victories in the early 1970's. 

 

Franklin and his wife were at the beach visiting from their home in Mississippi.  Prior to walking on the beach, they parked their vehicle at the Navarre Beach Pier parking lot.  They then took of their shoes, valuables, and jewelry, placing them in the trunk of the vehicle.  Franklin was wearing his 1959 Ole Miss Championship ring and his 1971 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl ring, which he had placed in the trunk.  After a few hours, Franklin and his wife returned to their vehicle and found that the valuables were no longer in the trunk.  Cash and credit cards were also missing.  To Franklin, the sentimental value of these rings is irreplaceable.  It is not known how the suspects gained access into the trunk, due to there not being any signs of forced entry.  The suspects later used a credit card belonging to Franklin at the Santa Rosa Mall in Okaloosa County.  Those leads are being pursued. 

 

Anyone with information concerning the suspect/s that are responsible for the burglary and theft, or the location of the rings, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP, or Detective Aloy at 981-2255. Any information provided through Crime Stoppers that leads to any arrest is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.00