FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., Feb. 16, 2025—A Pensacola man faces multiple felony charges after tossing an explosive device near the drive-through of a fast food restaurant yesterday.

Gregory Earl Simonds, 41, is charged with throwing a destructive device causing bodily harm or physical damage, display of a firearm during the commission of a felony, felony criminal mischief and improper exhibit of a firearm.

According to an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies were responding to the report of the armed disturbance around 2:30 p.m. at the Harley Davidson motorcycle store on Beal Parkway when employees at the Jimmy John’s restaurant next door flagged them down to report some type explosion took place near their drive-through, breaking glass and causing minor cuts to the back of a male employee.

Members of the Pagan motorcycle club at the Harley Davidson store said Simonds drove up to them in a Silver Subaru and pointed a weapon at them. He was wearing an Outlaw Motorcycle Club jacket, according to witnesses.

While driving away, Simonds tossed an item out of his window which exploded near the restaurant next door, according to the release.

The explosion broke several drive-through windows causing about $5,000 in damage, according to one of the employees.

Deputies spotted Simonds on Lewis Turner Boulevard a short time later and initiated a traffic stop near Highway 85 and Nomad Way where they saw a black firearm sticking out of a black Outlaw motorcycle club vest on the front passenger seat and a portion of what appeared to be an explosive device, according to the news release.

Members of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to clear the vehicle and found four “M-type” explosive devices consisting of thick cardboard tubes containing an explosive power with a pyrotechnic fuse at one end.

Two firearms were also recovered from the car.

Simonds is being held in the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview. 

Staff and OCSO news release. (Photos by OCSO)