WCSO Identifies Masked Prankster Targeting Hammock Bay Homes
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has identified the masked individual who had been playing an “Olympic-level game of ding-dong-ditch” at homes in Hammock Bay in Freeport, after public tips helped deputies track down the person responsible.
Security camera footage shared by WCSO on July 30 shows a person wearing a black T-shirt, black shorts, white socks with dark sandals, and a face covering walking across a residential porch in the Hammock Bay development. The Sheriff’s Office said it had received several reports from different neighborhoods in the area, describing the incidents as a recurring pattern rather than an isolated event.
“What starts as a prank can quickly move into harassment, and we want to make sure things stay safe, respectful, and not… whatever this is,” the agency wrote in a social media post. Deputies emphasized that startling homeowners in their own residences can lead to dangerous outcomes, noting that “when people feel unsafe in their own homes… it can lead to dangerous outcomes.”
WCSO struck a measured tone in the post, acknowledging that the agency is “not trying to ruin anybody’s summer” but asking anyone who recognized the individual — or their distinctive “sandal-sock combo or running form” — to come forward. The Sheriff’s Office described the mask as “a little much” and noted admiration for the “confidence of fashion statements” while still needing to speak with the person involved.
Following the public appeal, WCSO confirmed that the individual has been identified. No further details about charges or consequences have been released at this time.
Hammock Bay is one of Freeport’s largest residential developments, with a multi-use trail system that circles the community and connects to Highway 20. The neighborhood has been the subject of community discussions about safety and shared-path etiquette, including e-bike regulations considered by both the Freeport City Council and the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.
Originally reported by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
