Hotel robbery thwarted when Air Force sergeant notices odd behavior, Florida cops say

A U.S. airman’s keen sense of situational awareness foiled a hotel robbery after he took notice of odd behavior in the lobby, according to investigators in the Florida Panhandle.

It happened just before 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at a Residence Inn in Fort Walton Beach, police said in a Dec. 30 news release. Fort Walton Beach is about 6-mile drive southwest from Elgin Air Force Base.

“A U.S. Air Force Tech Sergeant, passing through the lobby, noticed a suspicious interaction between a person at the front desk and the night clerk. As he exited the lobby, he promptly called the police,” police said.

“Upon arrival, officers detained Bradley Hariford, who matched the description provided by the caller. The night clerk reported that Hariford had brandished what appeared to be a concealed weapon in his jacket and demanded money.”

He was arrested and charged with armed robbery, police said.

The airman’s identity has not been released, but police expressed gratitude “for his quick thinking and prompt action.”

“We rely on the community to report any suspicious activity, and the caller’s actions played a crucial role in making our community safer,” police said.

This story was originally published December 31, 2024 at 7:23 AM.