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| Johnny Hemby |
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| Max Payne |
July 25, 2018
On July 23, 2018 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal
Investigations Division received a burglary complaint from Williston Land and
Timber located at 20510 East Levy Street. The owner discovered a generator,
flood lights and coolers were stolen from the property on or about the 4th
of July. The owner did not make a report to law enforcement immediately after
making this discovery. To safeguard his belongings and fearing the suspects may
return, the owner purchased and installed surveillance equipment on the
property in hopes he would get pictures of the burglars did return.
On July 23, 2018 the owner discovered his fears were well
founded. More of his property had been stolen. The burglars took another
generator, more flood lights and other valuables. He reviewed his surveillance
footage and discovered images of a person he recognized. With this knowledge,
and the video to prove it, he turned this evidence over to law enforcement.
Investigators responded to the home of Johnny Hemby
(5-25-93), the person identified in the surveillance video by the victim.
Investigators immediately saw one of the reported stolen generators on Hemby’s
porch. Investigators spoke to Hemby who
explained the reason he took these things is because he was down on his luck.
Investigators also identified Max Payne (4-21-92), Hemby’s
roommate, as Hemby’s accomplice. Payne told investigators he went with Hemby to
the Williston Land and Timber property and helped him take these items only
because Hemby said he was given permission to take them.
Both men were arrested and transported to the Levy County
Detention Facility. Both were charged with two counts of burglary of a
structure, and two counts of grand theft. Their bonds have been set at
$110,000.00 each.
Not every item reported stolen in this case has been
recovered. If you, or someone you know, purchased (or are holding) anything
either Hemby or Payne sold/gave to you, it’s probably stolen. Please contact
Sergeant Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111 ext 267.