Melissa Nelson Gabriel | Pensacola News Journal

Authorities have charged four people from Milton and Pace — including a mother and son — with stealing thousands of oysters from the Pensacola Bay Oyster Co.

Rebekah Nelson, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said the group tried to sell the stolen oysters in the Santa Rosa County area.

"They were trying to sell them to individual buyers in the community," said Nelson, who did not know whether any stolen oysters were successfully sold.

Santa Rosa County Jail

FWC investigators working on another case received information about the Pensacola Bay Oyster Co. theft, which led them to a local suspect, she said. During a search of the suspect's home, they found 4,000 oysters.

Auburn University's Shelfish Laboratory then analyzed a sample of the oysters and confirmed they were from Pensacola Bay Oyster Co., Nelson said.

Jane Lauter, a spokeswoman for the company, said Wednesday evening that she was thrilled to learn about the arrests.

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"This is not something to take lightly," said Lauter, who added that the theft involved "many livelihoods and potential health concerns."

Santa Rosa County Jail

The company estimated thieves took about 40,000 oysters from their lease in East Bay in late July.

Donnie McMahon, the company's owner, said he hoped the group would be fully prosecuted.

"Not only did the actions of these ruthless people cost us a great deal financially, they put the public health at risk," he said.

Santa Rosa County Jail

Nicholas Mason, 35, and Douglas Lowery, 30, both of Milton, face felony charges of grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

They face various misdemeanor charges including criminal mischief, not delivering to a certified oyster house, not having a saltwater products license, harvesting oysters at night and trespassing on an oyster lease.

Lesia Mason, 58, of Milton, mother of Nicholas Mason, faces felony charges of grand theft and dealing in stolen property. Lesia Mason also faces various misdemeanor charges.

Lonny Teston, 46, of Pace, faces a felony charge of being an accessory to dealing stolen property. Teston's mugshot and booking information was not available Wednesday evening.