Dothan Police Department need your help on an armed robbery at Best Western (Video link included)

Dothan, Al.

On October 6, 2011 the Dothan Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Best Western, 3285 Montgomery Highway just before midnight. Upon arrival, police learned the suspect entered the business and jumped over the counter where he took U.S. Currency before fleeing on foot toward the Shell Station. The clerk did not see a firearm, however the suspect advised he was armed and had his hand in his pocket during the incident. The clerk gave a detailed description of the suspect, a tall black male in his late 30’s to early 40’s wearing a dark baseball hat, and a black shirt with the red letters “MT” on the front of the shirt and dark pants. 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. To see a video of the suspect click on this link: Best Western Video

Dothan man charged with two recent residential burglaries

Dothan, Al.
Jonathan Moyd, white male, 37 years of age, of Brookwood Drive was arrested and charged with two counts of Third Degree Burglary with a $5,000 bond. 

Jonathan Moyd

On October 5, 2011 the Dothan Police Department Investigative Division made a felony arrest following a recent investigation. Jonathan Moyd was taken into custody yesterday after investigators connected him with two recent residential burglaries. The first occurred September 19, 2011 in the 4000 block of Kinsey Road and the second occurred September 24, 2011 in the 1300 block of South Beverlye Road. Investigators say both cases have now been closed following the arrest.  

Auburn attorney surrenders law license

An Auburn attorney purposely forfeited his law license with the Alabama State Bar Association for reasons that are unclear.

James Boyd Douglas Jr., a partner at McNeal & Douglas in Auburn, last week petitioned the Alabama State Bar for disbarment, which was granted Tuesday, according to paperwork.

Alabama State Bar General Counsel Tony McLain considered Douglas’ actions to be unusual.

“We don’t have that happen many times … a consent for disbarment,” he said.

Douglas was a partner with Marrell J. McNeal, who founded the firm in 1981. McNeal confirmed that Douglas filed the state for disbarment Friday.

“I will continue to practice law as a sole practitioner,” McNeal said in a statement. “I value the relationships with my clients and thank them for their patience as I work through this difficult time.”

Attempts Wednesday to reach Douglas were not successful. A home telephone number listed in the 2011 AT&T directory was disconnected.

Tuesday, McLain said the disbarment “had to do with trust and accounting issues” in relation to loan institutions and real estate.

“I can’t comment on any of the facts or allegations,” said Auburn attorney Trip Walton III, who is representing Douglas. “I can’t comment because of confidentiality reasons.”

No criminal charges have been filed against Douglas and neither Walton nor McNeal said they were not aware if Douglas is the subject of a criminal investigation.

“I had absolutely no knowledge of any improprieties,” McNeal said Wednesday afternoon.

Lee County District Attorney Robbie Treese said he is not aware of any pending charges. Clark Morris of the U.S. Attorney’s Middle District office in Montgomery could not say if that office is involved in or aware of an ongoing investigation involving Douglas.

According to his former law office’s website, Douglas has “successfully mitigated” cases that include medical malpractice, products liability, automobile accidents, insurance fraud and federal employment and civil rights claims.

According to the website, Douglas joined the firm in 1996. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Auburn University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Law.

McLainsaids that once disbarred, attorneys must wait five years before they can petition for reinstatement.

September motor vehicle registration deadline extended

MONTGOMERY , Al.
The Alabama Department of Revenue announced Wednesday that the September motor vehicle registration deadline has been extended through Oct. 20 for vehicle owners. 

Alabama vehicle owners whose registration month is September will not be subject to delinquent penalties for late vehicle registration or delinquent penalty and interest charges for late payment of vehicle property tax, provided the registrations are completed during the extension period running through Oct. 20. 

The September registration renewal extension also applies to individuals who have recently purchased or otherwise acquired a vehicle, but have not registered their newly acquired vehicles within the 20-day registration period. This affects vehicles purchased or otherwise acquired, whereby the 20-day registration requirement falls during the month of September. 

On Sept. 28, U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn issued a ruling upholding sections of Alabama’s immigration law that require proof of citizenship or lawful presence before applying for an Alabama license plate and conducting related motor vehicle registration and certificate of title transactions.

The extension does not apply to motor vehicle registrations and renewals for commercial vehicles registered pursuant to the International Registration Plan.  The extension does, however, apply to the payment of property taxes on IRP vehicles.

Huntsville man accused in pistol whipping, shooting of Limestone man over drug debt

ATHENS, Al.
A Huntsville man accused of taking part in the pistol whipping and shooting  of a man over a drug debt has not turned himself in to the Limestone County sheriff this morning.
Sheriff Mike Blakely said Warren Crutcher, 23, of Huntsville had indicated that he would turn himself in late Wednesday.
Crutcher was among five men who entered Jonathan Haynes' home to collect $900 for oxycontin they had given him, Blakely said. They are accused of pistol whipping Haynes after he offered his television and stereo instead of the money. The gun went off, grazing the back of Haynes' upper arm, Blakely said.

Former Ladd-Peebles Stadium Board chairman Milton Joyner charged with DUI

MOBILE, Al.
The former chairman of the Ladd-Peebles Stadium board knocked over construction barrels and got into a brief scuffle with a police officer while being arrested and charged with drunken driving, Satsuma Police Chief Chris McLean said Wednesday.

Milton Joyner

Milton Joyner was arrested about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cpl. Christopher Levy, Mobile police spokesman, said Wednesday.
Mobile police assisted in Joyner’s arrest, Levy said.
Joyner on Wednesday disputed the account of a scuffle.
“I did not have a scuffle with a police officer,” Joyner said. “I politely got out of the car, and they handcuffed me and took the car and took me to jail.”
Joyner, 72, of Mobile, was booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to jail records. He was released shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday with bail set at $1,000, records showed.
Joyner had previously been arrested and charged with driving under the influence in 1992, records showed.
Satsuma Chief McLean said he was traveling south on Interstate 65 in Mobile about 8 p.m. Tuesday, following a meeting, when he saw a silver four-door Mercedes approaching from behind in the far left lane.
Construction crews repaving the left lane near the Dauphin Street exit had placed barrels to divert traffic to the right.
The Mercedes struck “about 10 or 15” barrels, which rolled into the roadway, McLean said. Drivers were “pulling into the emergency lane,” the chief said, trying to get out of the way of the Mercedes.
One of the barrels ended up under the Mercedes, although the driver continued on, McLean said.
McLean said he turned on his signal lights and siren and chased the car a little more than a mile before it stopped near the Government Street exit.
“He did resist arrest and had to be physically restrained,” McLean said.
There was “significant damage” to the front of the Mercedes, McLean said. The barrel trapped under the car wasn’t removed until it was towed, he said.
No charge of resisting arrest appeared on the jail records.

Milton Joyner thought police were chasing someone else

Joyner said that he had three shot glasses of Courvoisier cognac at a bar before heading home. He said he usually he traveled on Government Street to get home but decided instead to take the interstate.
Joyner said that he saw the police lights behind him, but “I thought they were chasing somebody else.”
“They said, ‘Mr. Joyner, you hit a sign and almost hit a man.’ I didn’t see any man.”
Joyner said that he took the breath analysis because he understood that his driver’s license would be automatically suspended if he did not take the test.
His blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.10, he said Wednesday. In Alabama, 0.08 is the legal limit.
“I didn’t think I had enough to drink to be DUI,” he said. “The only thing I can do is go to court and hope that everything is going to be all right.”
Joyner said, “I regret that the incident happened. I’m just glad nobody got hurt.”
The Ladd-Peebles Stadium board ousted Joyner as its chairman in October 2010, following an overtime controversy that saw about $100,000 spent without proper approval. He tendered his resignation from the board Oct. 28, 2010.

Andalusia Police search for suspect in hit, run

Andalusia, Al.
The Andalusia Police Department is investigating a hit and run that injured an Andalusia woman Wednesday.
Sgt. Jason Curry said the incident occurred around lunchtime in the Church Street Dollar General Store parking lot.
He said the victim, Barbara McCommons, suffered minor injures; however, police are searching for the driver of the vehicle.
“He kind of bumped into her. She fell down, and he got out of the car helped her up and sat her down on the curb,” Curry said. “Then, he got back in his car and drove off.”
McCommons was transported to Andalusia Regional Hospital, where she was treated and released.
Curry said the incident is still under investigation.