Suspect Says He’s Not Guilty Of Robbing Tom Thumb, Stealing Tires, Escape
October 12, 2009
The Century man accused of robbing the Molino Tom Thumb, stealing tires to fix a flat on the getaway car and then escaping from deputies after he was arrested, has told a judge that he didn’t do it.
Antonio Demetrius Ewing , 19, of West Highway 4, Century, pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery, larceny, criminal mischief property damage, burglary and escape. Ewing was due in court on an earlier concealed weapons charge at the exact day and hour he was arrested to for trying to steal the tires; he also pleaded not guilty to failing to appear in court.
Ewing remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. His jury trial is set for January.
Surveillance video from the Tom Thumb (click here to watch) shows the 10 second robbery. Two people entered the front door, pushed a customer out the way, grabbed the entire case register and leave. One of the suspects is shown wearing a dark colored shirt, white socks on his hands and a camouflage bandanna around his face.
About three hours later, Escambia County deputies were called to a reported suspicious person and a possible burglary on Alger Road in Century. When they arrived, they found a Pontiac Firebird with no tag in the parking lot of the Gospel Light Temple on Alger Road in Century.
That is where they found Ewing, with a flat tire. He had apparently stolen several tires and tools from a nearby shed in order to try fix his flat. According to deputies, the juvenile that was with Ewing had been given a ride by a passerby and was not with the car when they arrived.
While deputies were questioning Ewing about the stolen tires in Century, a deputy that was not in Century at the time realized he had read a comment on NorthEscambia.com’s story about the Tom Thumb robbery. The comment posted by someone with the name “me” mentioned a teal green Firebird with no tag being seen off the road on Sunshine Hill Road shortly after the robbery.
The deputy called Sheriff’s dispatchers on the the telephone, and dispatchers talked on the phone with deputies in Century — alerting them that they possibly had the Tom Thumb robber in custody. In the meantime, NorthEscambia.com was able to provide contact phone numbers for the poster “me” to deputies in Century. Deputies spoke to the poster’s husband in Molino, and he exactly described the car in that deputies had found in Century.
When deputies searched the location provided by the NorthEscambia.com reader on Sunshine Hill Road at Cedar Springs Road, they found the cash register from Monday morning’s robbery of the Tom Thumb, parts of the vehicle where the suspects had apparently hit a stump and money. White socks were also located in some brush.
Inside the car, investigators discovered a camouflage shirt that appeared to match the one used in the robbery.
Ewing was taken into custody and transported to the Century Precinct of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for questioning about the tire theft and about the Tom Thumb robbery. When deputies walked Ewing out of the Century Precinct to place him a cruiser to take him to jail, he ran. Deputies said Ewing ran across Highway 29 toward Century Woods Apartments where he lives. After a brief foot chase, Ewing was taken back into custody.
A 15-year old juvenile has also been charged in connection with the incident.
Pictured top: Investigator Frank Way discovered camouflage clothing in the back of a car in Century. A camouflage bandanna was used earlier that morning in the robbery of the Molino Tom Thumb. Pictured top inset: Ewing in the back of a deputy’s car in Century. Pictured bottom inset: The cash register recovered on Sunshine Hill Road at Cedar Springs Road. Pictured below: The September 14 Tom Thumb robbery scene in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Flu Shots Will Available Today In Walnut Hill
October 12, 2009
Seasonal flu shots will be available Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97.
Medicare will be accepted. Otherwise, the $24.99 payment must be made in cash or check. Credit Cards will not be accepted. The event is sponsored by the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
Dress Backwards And Tacky: It’s Spirit Week At Ernest Ward Middle School
October 12, 2009
This is “Spirit Week” at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Students are encouraged to dress to match a certain theme each day. The themes are:
- Monday — Tacky Day
- Tuesday – Backwards Day
- Wednesday – College Day
- Thursday – Blue & Gold Day
- Friday — Camo Day
The Eagles will hold a pep rally Thursday afternoon at 3:15 to get ready for a home football game against T.R. Miller at 6 p.m. The week will end with a Spirit Week Dance in the school gym from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
North Escambia Weekend In Photos
October 12, 2009
From Molino to Century to Walnut Hill to Pensacola — NorthEscambia.com had over 400 photos from weekend events around the area.
Click an album name below to view the photo gallery.
- Bratt Elementary School Fall Festival
- Ernest Ward Middle School’s Got Talent
- Century Care Center At The Corporate Cup Games
- Ernest Ward Middle Mini-Cheerleader Camp
- Adventure Race: Trotting For A Cure
- Century Vs. Flomaton Football
- Northview Vs. Holmes County
Molino Road Resurfacing Set To Be Completed This Week
October 12, 2009
Weather permitting, the resurfacing project underway on Molino Road should be completed this week, according to the Escambia County Road Department. Most of the remaining work involves the road shoulders and pavement markings.
The $858,713.05 project by Roads Inc. of NWF, includes completely resurfacing the road from Highway 29 to Highway 99, a distance of just over five miles. The project also includes other work such as stormwater pollution control, mulch, shoulder work and pavement striping.
The Molino Road project is being funding by Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Pictured above: Work continues on Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Grab The Umbrella
October 12, 2009
A cold front that passed through the area over the weekend is coming back to visit as a warm front, bringing humidity and chance of showers back to North Escambia. But by next weekend, forecasters are calling for lows dipping into the 40’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Columbus Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 85. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Photo Gallery: Northview Beats Holmes County On The Road
October 12, 2009
The Northview Chiefs picked up a major District 1-1A win against Holmes County 33-19 in Bonifay Friday night. The Northview High School Chiefs (4-1, 3-1) will be at home next Friday night against Freeport in another District 1-1A game. Freeport (4-1, 4-0) is the only undefeated team remaining in the district after a 43-21 win over South Walton (5-1, 4-1) Friday night.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here. Submitted photos by Brenda Garrett.
For a complete game recap, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from Northview’s win over Holmes County Friday night in Bonifay. Submitted photos by Brenda Garrett, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
District 5 Member Needed For Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee
October 12, 2009
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White is seeking someone who will be willing to fill a seat on the Escambia Marine Advisory Committee.
Interested parties should submit a resume to White’s office by Thursday. Resumes may be mailed to Commissioner Kevin White, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 400, Pensacola, 32502, or e-mailed to District5@myescambia.com.
The appointee selected by Commissioner White will serve as a committee member until November 2012. All members of the EMAC shall be residents and registered voters of Escambia County.
The EMAC explores research, provides technical expertise and makes recommendations to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners regarding the development, administration and preservation of the county’s marine resources. The EMAC has 11 voting members and meets the second Monday of each month. Each commissioner appoints two members to serve concurrently with the appointing commissioner’s current term of office.
For more information, contact White’s office at 595-4950.
Trailer Hits Highway 4 Bridge
October 11, 2009
Highway 4 at Canoe Creek was closed for a short time Sunday afternoon after a driver lost control of a utility trailer hauling a pickup truck, and the trailer struck the bridge.
The accident happened about 12:45 between Bratt and Byrneville. Authorities say the driver of a Mercury Mountaineer that was pulling the trailer lost control on the steep hill approaching the bridge. That’s when the trailer spun around, hitting the bridge and the back of the Mountaineer.
The trailer was removed from the bridge a short time after the accident by an individual with a tractor.
There were no injuries in the crash. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Pictured above: A individual uses a tractor to remove and a truck and trailer that struck a Highway 4 bridge Sunday afternoon. Pictured below: The Mercury Mountaineer that was pulling the trailer before the driver lost control. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Trotting For A Cure Brings Adventure Racing To North Escambia
October 11, 2009
The first annual Trotting for a Cure brought the sport of adventure racing to North Escambia Saturday to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The sport of adventure racing is sweeping the nation, a sport where just completing the race is often considering a victory.
Each of the 25 two-member teams in Saturday’s event in Molino and Barrineau Park completed a 20-plus mile course from the Don Sutton Ballpark. The course included a seven mile bicycle race from the park to the Barrineau Park Bridge, a 2.9 mile canoe trip down the Perdido River, a 3.8 mile run back to the bridge, and a seven mile bicycle race back to the park.
For an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Along the way, participants took park in mini-challenges — everything from decorating and feeding a cupcake to their partner, to a cancer-related word scramble, to a blindfolded shoe removal maneuver to a slingshot event.
Dozens of volunteers were stationed along the way to make the race possible, and Race Director Sabrena Padgett said the race would not have been possible without those volunteers.
“I would like to especially thank all of the volunteers that donated countless hours working on this race and also our generous sponsor for their various donations,” Padgett said. “This race was a success because of each and every one of you and I appreciate you. Our efforts will be rewarded in seeing the future cures for cancer.”
For an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Trotting for A Cure Race Results:
Overall winners: 2 hr, 11 min, 5 sec, Team Sponsorus, William Hudgens of Pace and Jack Sauve of Milton
Female Category, First Place Finishers:
- 16-25: 2 hr, 42 min, 9 sec Team Knight’s Krew, Ashlynn O”Connor, Pensacola and Erin Bernier of Destin, FL
- 26-35: 2hr, 55 min, 45 sec Team Chick N Tater, Kimberley Salinas Pensacola and Sandy Raimondo Gulf Breeze
- 36-45: 3 hr, 03 min, 49 sec, Team Pensacola’s Best Pedal Pumping or Pushing, dirt stomping dominating diva’s, Dana Wert and Lauren Daniel both of Pensacola
Coed Category, First Place Finishers:
- 16-25: 2 hr, 30 min, 26 sec, Team Flubber Ducky, KC Northup of Dothan, AL and Rob Felty of Daphne, AL
- 26-35: 2 hr, 45 min, 56 sec, Team Hackers, Marcie Terwey and Keith Storniolo both of Pensacola
- 36-45: 2 hr, 59 min, 50 sec, Team Bauder, April and Mike Bauder of Helena, AL
- 16-25: 2 hr, 54 min, 37 sec, Team Are We There Yet, Austin Collins and Hunter Kendric both of Hope Hull, AL
- 26-35: 2 hr, 11 min, 5 sec, Team Sponsorus, William Hudgens of Pace, FL and Jack Sauve of Milton
- 36-45: 2 hr, 24 min, 35 sec, Team ZoSo, Mike Gartman of Pensacola and Reid Cole of Magnolia Springs, AL