New charges filed against Hoover man accused of impersonating police, robbing Hispanics

HOOVER, Al.
Authorities have filed additional charges against a Hoover man who is accused of impersonating a police officer and targeting Hispanics to rob them.

Ryan Daniel Phebus

Hoover police Capt. Jim Coker said Ryan Daniel Phebus, 29, now faces four additional charges of first-degree robbery, one first-degree theft of property charge and another charge of impersonating a police officer.
Police announced Wednesday that Phebus was charged four counts of first-degree robbery and one count of impersonating a police officer, stemming from four separate reports on March 2 of a man representing himself as a police officer and targeting victims at apartment complexes on Lorna Road.
Police said Phebus robbed some of the victims at gunpoint and asked others for identification. In two of the cases, he entered the victims' apartments and took money from them. Each victim described the suspect as wearing a shirt or jacket resembling that of a police officer and having a police-type badge around his neck.
Police arrested Phebus on Sunday at his apartment in the 2200 block of Little Valley Road. Coker said the new charges against Phebus also arise from March 2. The new charges carry a bond of $285,000. Phebus is already in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
Detectives continue to investigate the March 2 incidents, in addition to similar robberies that occurred in August 2011.
Police encourage any other victims of similar crimes to contact the department at 739-6730. A Spanish-speaking detective can be reached at 444-7534.

Deputies arrest man who led Tuscaloosa law enforcement on 36-mile car chase

TUSCALOOSA, Al.

Dustin Blake Smith

  Eight days following a 36-mile chase through Tuscaloosa County involving multiple law enforcement officers, 18-year-old Dustin Blake Smith was arrested by Tuscaloosa Sheriff's deputies after another pursuit.

Blake, from Duncanville, was taken into custody after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement officers from the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Sheriff's Office and U.S. Marshals worked together throughout the day Thursday to find Smith, whom he was with and which vehicle he was in.

At approximately 10 p.m. Thursday night, Tuscaloosa Police Department officers and sheriff's deputies traveled to a home in Elrod where smith was believed to be present. As they approached the residence, officers and deputies observed a green Chevrolet Cavalier leaving with three individuals in the car, one believed to be Smith.

Officers and deputies turned around on the vehicle and attempted to stop it, before the Chevy driver attempted to elude law enforcement. After an approximately 10-mile chase that reached top speed of 60 mph in a rain storm, the suspects stopped their vehicle and bailed out running into the woods. After a brief foot pursuit, Smith was taken into custody and transported by deputies to the Tuscaloosa County Jail.

Smith was charged with third-degree burglary, reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, two counts of attempting to elude and third-degree burglary in Marion County, with bonds totaling $22,500.

"I am extremely proud of the collaborative partnership with local and federal agencies," said Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ted Sexton, according to a press release. "Working together, we took into custody a habitual Offender that fled from a Marion County court, traveled at speeds over 100 mph placing the public in danger during a 36 mile chase last week."

Smith was previously wanted after leading police on a high-speed pursuit throughout Tuscaloosa County earlier this month. Police noticed Smith when he drove a blue Ford Mustang going across the Hugh Thomas Bridges into Northport. The investigator knew Smith had felony warrants for third-degree burglary, second-degree theft of property and second-degree criminal mischief with the Marion County's Sheriff's Office.

Police said once a Northport officer in a marked unit pulled behind the investigator, both vehicles activated their emergency lights and sirens. The suspect then took off at a high speed, and the pursuit began.

During the pursuit, multiple agencies were involved including Tuscaloosa Police, Northport Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. Tuscaloosa's police helicopter also assisted during the pursuit.

The pursuit started at the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and Highway 69 in Northport, turned onto Highway 43 North, Highway 171 and then onto an unknown dirt road.

The chase ended in a wooded area near Upper Columbus Road. Three people inside the car fled the vehicle, according to police. Officers caught one of the suspects, Cody Len Estes, who police said was in the front passenger seat when the pursuit started and switched with Smith to drive the vehicle during the pursuit. The pursuit reached speeds of 100 mph at times, police said.

During the pursuit, Smith threw a five-gallon paint bucket out the window at the investigator's vehicle, according to police. The third occupant inside the vehicle was a female, and no charges are pending on her. The pursuit lasted 30 minutes and covered 36 miles. Investigators obtained warrants on Smith from the pursuit.

Etowah County grand jury hands down indictments in Savannah Hardin case

ETOWAH COUNTY, Al.

Savannah Hardin

 An Etowah County grand jury today handed down indictments against two women charged in the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin, District Attorney Jimmie Harp announced tonight.
Savannah died Feb. 20 at Children's of Hospital where she was taken Feb. 17 after collapsing when she was made to run non-stop for three hours, authorities have said. Savannah was made to run as punishment for lying about eating a candy bar, authorities said.
Savannah's paternal grandmother, Joyce Garrard, 46, of Attalla, was indicted on a charge of capital murder. Savannah's stepmother, Jessica Hardin, 27, of Attalla, was indicted on a charge of felony murder.
Garrard is currently being held without bond and Hardin is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Garrard was originally charged with felony murder on Feb. 22. Court records show Garrard was charged with capital murder on March 2.
Harp and Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin will hold a press conference about the indictments Monday at 10 a.m.

Students from all over hit Gulf Shores, Orange Beach for Spring Break

GULF SHORES, Al.
Bill McGinnes gets spring break rolling with a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl where more than 1,500 locals and tourists gather at his business, Papa Rocco’s, to toast the Irish and a day at the beach on March 17.
Four professional bagpipers will be playing when the doors open at 8 a.m. at the oyster bar and restaurant McGinnes opened 27 years ago. Then the sea of green will march their way to a dozen more clubs.
"It coincides with spring break and gives every bar a good start," said McGinnes, who is Scotch-Irish.
Welcome to spring break, Gulf Coast-style, where the fun starts in early March and runs till early April. The beach traffic season is based on when students from kindergarten to college take a break in the Southern and Midwestern states, according to tourism officials.
Last spring brought record-breaking numbers of visitors who boosted lodging and retail spending, according to Herb Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. "I’m hearing from businesses that March and April bookings are the same as last year’s or better," he said.
The BP oil spill in spring 2010 devastated rentals and beach businesses, and tourism officials typically use 2007, 2008 or 2009 figures to compare with the 2011 season.
There was $38 million spent on rental lodging in March and April 2011 compared to $31 million in 2009, according to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism reports. The retail sales hit $106.3 million in March and April 2010, compared to $90.8 million in 2009.
There are 16,312 hotel and condominium units in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach, according to the tourism office.
"We’re a spring family vacation destination," Malone said. "We’ve never pursued the "Girls Gone Wild" stuff. We welcome college students who want to relax and enjoy the beach."
Rental agencies are not offering room discounts this spring, but they are monitoring the volatile gas prices. Most consumers are accustomed to the increase in gas prices, according to Bill Bender of Bender Realty in Gulf Shores. "They may not eat out as much or go shopping, but they still come to stay at the beach," he said.
Bender Realty’s rental bookings are 32 percent higher than last year’s spring break, he said. "Last year was one of our best years ever."
Brett/Robinson in Orange Beach has 400 condo check-ins coming in Thursday (March 15), the largest number at one time for this spring break season, according to Marie Curren, a spokeswoman for the company that manages 2,000 rental units.
"We have our fingers crossed for no storms, no oil or whatever else they can throw at our beautiful white beaches," she said.
Waterville USA in Gulf Shores hopes the visitors stay longer this spring break, said John Turberville, general manager of the water park. "Last year was a little soft for us," he said. "We had a lot of people in town, but they were three- to four-day stays. We’re an all-day destination and we do better with longer stays. But we’re looking forward to a good year." The amusement park and Flowrider have opened and the water park will open in mid-May.

Old Navy employee accused of stealing cash, merchandise and gift cards

Dothan, Al.
Jillene Neil, black female, 30 years of age, of Houston Street was arrested and charged with Second Degree Theft of Property with a $2,500 bond.
 

Jillene Neil

The Dothan Police Department recently responded to a felony theft at a local department store. Police arrived on scene at Old Navy, 3500 Ross Clark Circle where loss prevention employees briefed them on their internal investigation which had revealed numerous thefts committed by a current employee. Investigators learned Jillene Neil conducted a series of fraudulent transactions between November 2011 and March 2012 in order to obtain cash, merchandise and gift cards. Neil was charged with theft bringing the case to a close.

Armed robber shot

Phenix City,Al. 

Anthony Jerome Thomas

On 3/7/12 at approximately 2:58 pm, the Phenix City Police Department responded to the 100 block of 14th Avenue in reference to a shooting incident. Police were advised that a small black in color vehicle had fled the scene and one of the occupants had been shot. Witnesses on the scene advised police that the two suspects in the fleeing vehicle had committed an armed robbery. During the robbery incident, the victim became involved in a physical altercation with one of the offenders and the offender was shot in the arm.

The vehicle was located and stopped by police on Dillingham Street and the passenger in the vehicle was observed to have an apparent gunshot wound to his arm. The passenger was transported to the Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, Anthony Jerome Thomas (18yoa) of Phenix City was arrested and charged with Robbery 1st Degree. The passenger, who is a juvenile, also faces criminal charges upon his release from the Medical Center. The firearm that was used in the robbery was also recovered by police.

Bessemer man says he will plead guilty to capital murder in death of Shelby County girl

A 24-year-old Bessemer man will plead guilty to capital murder for the 2009 slaying of a 15-month-old Shelby County girl, court records show.

James Wesley Howard

James Wesley Howard intends to plead guilty to causing the death of Kara Nicole Lee, who died four days after being flown to Children's Hospital, according to a document filed in Shelby County Circuit Court.
Howard is scheduled to appear in court on April 16 before Shelby County Circuit Judge Dan Reeves.
He will plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life without parole, court record show. Howard could receive life without parole or the death penalty if he goes to trial and is convicted of the capital murder of child under the age of 14.
Howard is accused of intentionally causing Kara's death by using his hand or fist, according to an arrest warrant.
Authorities say the girl had numerous injuries to her body.
Howard lived with the child and her 19-year-old mother near Lay Lake, authorities said.
He has been in the Shelby County Jail under no bond since his arrest five days after Kara died.

Dothan Police need your help identifying man wanted for stealing a vehicle

The suspect is male subject on the right side of the photo

The Dothan Police Department is seeking the help of our local community and media in identifying a man wanted for stealing a vehicle. Investigators say a vehicle was stolen from a residence in the 1100 block of North Pontiac Street when the resident left the vehicle unattended while she went inside for a brief moment. Investigators have now received a photograph of the suspect taken by surveillance video of a convenience store he entered shortly after the theft occurred.  Police are asking anyone with information about the case or identity of the suspect to call the Dothan Police Department or CrimeStoppers 334-793-7000.

The Dothan Police Dept. invites you to :COME RUN WITH US!

The Dothan Police Dept. invites you to :COME RUN WITH US, 5K MARCH 31, 2012... PRINT APPLICATION BELOW AND PRE-REGISTER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BENEFITS PAL, POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE

 

Bentley proposes state pension changes

Gov. Robert Bentley

MONTGOMERY, Al.
Gov. Robert Bentley announced a plan Wednesday to overhaul Alabama's pension system for state employees, teachers and other public employees who are covered by the state retirement system.
It calls for setting a retirement age of 62 for most employees and 56 for law enforcement officers. Right now, employees can retire after a minimum of 25 years or service. There is no retirement age and some state employees who start working at an early age can retire early enough to start a second career and in some cases earn a second retirement.
Bentley said the change would not affect any current employees and would go into effect starting in 2013. He said the plan would save the state about $5.07 billion over 30 years.
The governor said the overhaul in the pension system was needed to "ensure the long-term solvency of Alabama's retirement system."
Legislative leaders said bills for the proposals are expected to be introduced Thursday in the House and Senate.
House Speaker Mike Hubbard of Auburn and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston, both Republicans, stood with Bentley at Thursday's news conference and indicated they felt the proposal had a good chance of becoming law this session. It's being sponsored in the House by Reps. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, and Jamie Ison, R-Mobile. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is the Senate sponsor.
"Everyone understands that we have to get our fiscal house in order and pension reform is a big step in that direction," Ison said.
The CEO of the state retirement systems, David Bronner, called the changes proposed by Bentley "modest," but said they are needed to protect the pensions of state employees after the nation has gone through two wars and "the worst recession since the 1930s."
Bronner said by applying the changes only to new hires, the legislation will "uphold the promises made to one of Alabama's most valuable assets, our public employees and teachers."
The director of the Alabama State Employees Association, Mac McArthur, praised Bentley for coming up with a proposal that won't affect the pensions of current employees or retirees. He expressed some reservations that the proposal would in effect create two retirement systems, one for current employees and retirees and another for those who go to work for the state in the future.
He is also concerned about setting the retirement age so that employees can't retire as early as they can now, especially for workers in high-stress jobs like prison guards.
"It hurts young employees who want to make a career in state government," McArthur said.
The executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, Henry Mabry, said he was pleased that the proposal would not affect current teachers or employees.
"No one currently serving in our public schools will see their benefits change," Mabry said. "It was important that the rules of the game were not changed on those who had made a commitment to our schools. We were adamant on that issue and received assurances by legislative leaders no changes would happen to current employees."
Because of changing the benefits, new employees would not pay as much for their pensions under Bentley's proposal. Currently state workers pay 7.5 percent of what they make toward their pensions. Under Bentley's proposal that would be reduced to 6 percent, said deputy state finance director Clinton Carter.

Pair arrested after drug bust in Auburn

 Auburn, Al.

Tyler Kight

Two men were arrested in Auburn on multiple drug charges after police seized marijuana and prescription medication with a street value of up to $1,000 on Friday.

Tyler Kight, 21, of Bainbridge, Ga., was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jacob W. Wood, 19, of Opelika was charged with second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to flee or elude police.

The drugs were recovered after police executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of North Debardeleben Street, said Auburn Police Division Capt. Tom Stofer. Stofer said officers kicked in the front door to the residence after the suspects initially opened the front door and then shut it. When police entered the door of the home, Wood ran out the back door but was tackled after a short foot chase and taken into custody.

Jacob W. Wood

Police found several digital scales, Mason jars containing marijuana and prescription tablets in the residence, Stofer said. Kight and Wood were booked into the Lee County Detention Facility on bail amounts of $6,500 and $4,500 respectively. The two posted bail and were later released.