Dothan Police arrest couple at the American Inn

 Dothan, Al.
Johnny Peterman, black male, 29 years of age, of Marella Court and Billie Wiggins, white female, 26 years of age, of Pine Hills Drive were arrested and charged with First Degree Possession of Marijuana and Chemical Endangerment of a Child with a $30,000 bond. 
 

On December 14, 2011 the Dothan Police Department Narcotics Unit received information that marijuana was being kept and sold from, the American Inn, 3118 East Main Street Room by a male named Johnny. Narcotic officers conducted an investigation after which they served a search warrant at the location. Upon entering the room officers found the room to be occupied by Johnny Peterman, Billie Wiggins, and a three year old toddler in the bed. Officers immediately smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the room. During the search of the motel room officers recovered 41 bags (approximately .25 pounds) that contained marijuana. Both Peterman and Wiggins were charged with Possession of Marijuana and Chemical Endangerment of a Child.

Anniston City Councilman Little arrested on property code violation

 Anniston, Al.
Anniston City Councilman Ben Little was arrested this afternoon for allegedly violating a state property code that requires city residents to maintain vacant structures on their properties.

City Code Enforcement Officer Tana Bryant signed a warrant for Little’s arrest after he failed to respond to her requests to board up vacant duplexes on properties off East 23rd Street.

Little’s church acquired those properties in July 2011, Bryant said.

She said she notified Little, who is the pastor of Refuge Full Gospel Methodist Church, several times both orally and by official letter that the properties violated Alabama Code section 301.3, which calls for the maintenance of vacant structures and land.

When Bryant didn’t hear back from Little, she checked on the properties this morning.

“Nothing has been taken care of to secure these properties,” she said. “They are very dangerous. They are not in imminent danger of collapsing, but there are holes in the floors and broken glass.”

After Bryant obtained a warrant, Anniston police arrested Little on the misdemeanor charge at 4:20 p.m.

Chief Layton McGrady said officers took Little into custody after locating him in the parking lot of the Calhoun County Courthouse.

Little left the Anniston City Jail sometime after 5 p.m. after being booked and released on a summons, Lt. Fred Forsythe said. That meas all Little had to do for release was sign his name.

He is the second councilman in a month to be criminally charged and arrested.

Gadsden officer shoots man in hand during chase

 Gadsden, Al.
A Gadsden man was shot in the hand by a police officer late Tuesday after he ran from the officer, according to a news release from Gadsden Police Capt. Regina May.

The officer tried to stop a red Ford Focus for an equipment violation about 11:15 p.m. in the Green Pastures area.

James Harrell Bell

The driver of the car, James Harrell Bell, 30, tried to get away from the officer and then bailed out of the car and ran.
The officer chased Bell and during the chase Bell spun around and pulled something from his pocket, May said.
The officer shot at the object Bell had pulled from his pocket and the shot hit Bell in the hand.
Bell was taken to the hospital for treatment of the gunshot wound and later was taken to the Etowah County jail.
He is charged with several warrants and is being held on a probation violation.
The Gadsden Police Department has asked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation to conduct the investigation.
The officer has not been identified and is out on planned leave.

Suspected meth dealer nabbed

 Atmore, Al.
An Atmore father and son are in jail on drug related charges today following an investigation by the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force that lasted over a month and ended with one less suspected meth dealer on the streets.
Lester Knight and his father Lester Barnes were arrested Monday afternoon in separate instances as task force officers followed up on leads obtained during undercover work conducted over the last month.  Officers said they were able to purchase methamphetamines from Knight at Barnes’ home at 115 Cruit Drive. Although Barnes claimed to have no knowledge of the drug deals, officers reported videotaping the encounter and said he was present at the scene.
Knight was arrested early Monday afternoon and charged with possession and distribution of a controlled substance after officers executed a search warrant at McRrae Apartments that turned up the bills used by undercover agents during the drug deal.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Greg Forbes said undercover work was also done in that location.
“The drug task force did some narcotics buys from this residence,” he said. “They served the search warrant and the sheriff’s office has assisted them with that search.”
In an effort to also uncover the remainder of the methamphetamine, task force officers returned to Barnes’ home where he consented to a search of his property. Officers on the scene were able to immediately identify marijuana growing in plain sight in Barnes’ back yard. Barnes was charged with possession of a controlled substance, (marijuana) in the first degree as well as manufacturing of a controlled substance.
Task force Investigator Adam Johnson said the arrests were the product of a lengthy investigation that ended with felony charges.
“We took (Knight) into custody,” Johnson said. “We received other information that lead us here to Cruit Street where we found marijuana growing in plain view. This was the result of an ongoing investigation.”
Both men were transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

Christmas message from the Brewton Police Department

Brewton, Al.

The holiday season can be one of the greatest times of the year! Homes filled with gifts, department stores, shops, malls, and downtown streets all filled with hopeful shoppers. Yet, with all of the hustle and bustle going on, people tend to forget that there are still crooks out there, just waiting to take advantage of all of the holiday season’s stresses and distractions. Shoppers, in particular, can become too focused on finding that one gift and in turn become careless and personally vulnerable to theft and other types of serious crime. It’s sad to say… but while some people are getting ready to travel or go shopping, some people are getting ready to go out and find that opportunity to take your property or rob you. Please read the following information provided in the section below, and learn how to celebrate this holiday season safely while making it a crime free one as well.

• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you shop at night, ask a
friend to accompany you.
• Do not wear expensive jewelry.
• Keep your purse closed and do not leave your wallet or checkbook visible.
• If you carry a purse, wear the strap so that it crosses in front of your body.
Or hold it in front of you, keeping the flap against your body. Secure your
purse between your body and your arm.
• Carry your wallet in an inside front pocket.
• Carry your keys in your pocket – you’ll be able to drive home if your purse
is lost or stolen.
• Avoid carrying a lot of cash; take only the credit cards you plan to use.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages.
• Do not leave your belongings and purchases unattended.
• Don’t advertise your purchases! Place all valuables/purchases in the trunk
of your car.
• Keep a list of credit card agencies with their phone numbers in case you
have to report a stolen or lost card.
• If you have to use an ATM, protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad
from those standing around or behind you.
• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if
you get separated.

Have a safe and happy holiday!
Merry Christmas!
Brewton Police Department

Fundraising page for Harvey Updyke set up on Facebook

TUSCALOOSA, Al.
A webpage aimed to raise money for accused Toomer's Corner oak tree poisoner Harvey Updyke is offering T-shirts, stickers and 8x10 autographed photographs.

Harvey Updyke

The website, created by Updyke's daughter, says he has "experienced financial strain due to court costs and his travels to and from Alabama. We, ROLL DAMN TIDE!, hope to relieve him with his this fundraiser." 

(Click here to view the webpage on Facebook.)

In a conversation via Facebook, Updyke said his financial issues involve a $50,000 bond, transportation back-and-forth from Louisiana and for his wife's "major back surgery."

Updyke wrote, "Things are getting tight."

Updyke said his next court date is Jan. 5, and his trial is set for March 17.

Geneva Police K-9 officer chargeed with killing his police dog

A Geneva Police officer was suspended after he was charged with killing a police dog.

Officer Josh Waller and Sassy

 Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey confirmed that police arrested Officer Josh Waller, 32, of Geneva, and charged him with felony killing of a police dog and misdemeanor filing a false police report.
 Waller has served as an officer with the department for three years, and most recently as the department’s only K-9 officer. He was charged with killing Sassy, the K-9 he was responsible for that went missing on April 23. Sassy was a 3-year-old yellow Labrador which cost the department $10,000.
Police received information on Dec. 1 from an informant linking Waller to the disappearance of Sassy, according to Lindsey. The informant also helped police find Sassy’s remains, which were buried in a field near the informant’s Coffee County home.
 Waller was brought in for questioning on Monday, and after conferring with the Geneva County District Attorney’s Office warrants for his arrest were obtained.
 Lindsey said Waller has been suspended with pay, but will likely be terminated. “He will not be working for me anymore.”
He did not say specifically how Sassy died, but called her death accidental. Lindsey also said Sassy would be taken to the state Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.
Lindsey said “This killing was not intentional. The police officer panicked and got scared.” “I did tell Officer Waller I was not going to show him any favoritism, and not treat him any different than other suspects.”
 Waller was released from custody at the Geneva County Jail on Tuesday after he posted $3,500 bail.