Authorities Search For Flomaton Bank Robbery Suspects (With Photos)
March 9, 2010
Authorities are investigating the Monday afternoon robbery of a Flomaton bank — and they say the suspects may be responsible for another bank robbery last week.
The United Bank in Flomaton was held up at 4:47 p.m. Monday by a man and woman who each passed holdup notes to different tellers shortly before the bank was set to close for the day, according to Flomaton Police Chief Terri Tolbert.
The pair did not display or indicate that they had a weapon. “No threats were made,” Tolbert said.
The man and woman can be seen on bank surveillance video (pictured left) entering the bank together, walking to different teller windows and passing separate holdup notes. The man can be seen folding his arms and leaning on a teller’s window while he waits for her to empty a cash drawer. They were in the bank for just a few minutes, the police chief said, leaving with an undetermined amount of cash.
The pair fled the bank in an older model, two-tone Chevrolet pickup, possibly gray or white. The back bumper of the truck was bent, witnesses told police. Their last know direction of travel was south on Sidney Manning Boulevard (Highway 29) toward Century.
Flomaton Police Department officers arrived at the bank just moments after the robbery, while surrounding law enforcement agencies in Alabama and Florida were notified to be on the lookout for the suspects. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also responded to investigate the crime.
Both the white male and white female were described as being in their 20’s to 30’s. He was wearing a dark ski cap, jeans and a sweatshirt. Bank employees said he had a goatee and was slender build.
The female was slender and wearing a baseball cap. She was described as having dirty blond hair and large tattoo on her neck.
A truck matching the suspect vehicle’s description was seen shortly before the robbery turning around near the intersection of College and Jackson streets and heading back toward the nearby bank.
Tolbert said the description of the couple and the actual crime were very similar to Thursday afternoon robbery of a Wachovia Bank in Florala, Alabama. Florala is about 70 miles east of Flomaton, and, like Flomaton, it sits on the Alabama-Florida border.
In the Florala robbery, the couple fled the bank on foot with $1,700. They were last seen entering a port-o-potty near the bank, according to Florala Police. Authorities believe they were picked up by someone else in a vehicle. Prior to the Florala robbery, the couple was seen on surveillance video in the town’s Tom Thumb store.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811.
Pictured top: Two robbery suspects pass holdup notes Monday as seen on survelliance video from United Bank in Flomaton. Pictured top inset: The pair entered the bank together. Pictured bottom inset: Flomaton Police were on scene without moments of the holdup alarm. Pictured below: More survelliance images from inside Monday afternoon’s robbery of United Bank in Flomaton. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to to enlarge.
Editor’s note: It should be noted that the times displayed on the survelliance photos in this story are incorrect; the robbery actually happened about 10 minutes prior to the times indicated on the tape, according to Flomaton Police.
Northview Chiefs Beat Neal
March 9, 2010
The Northview Chiefs beat W.S. Neal 4-3 Monday afternoon in Bratt.
Neal scored one run in the first and two in the third to carry a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth. The Chiefs rallied for two in the fourth and two in the fifth to take the lead for good. Austin Arrington laid down a sacrifice bunt in the fifth scoring Aaron Chancery to tie the game at three each. Dabney Langhorne followed with a twwo-out single to score Brad Lowery for the game winner.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Brad Lowery, 1 for 2 with a run scored; junior Austin Arrington 1 for 1 with two sacrifices, a run scored, and one RBI; Dabney Langhorne 1 for 2 with two RBI’s; Austin Reid 1 for 2 at the plate; and Brandon Sheets with an RBI.
Senior Brad Lowery pitched four innings for Northview, giving up three runs on four hits, walked none, and struck out seven hitters. Austin Arrington entered in the fifth and picked up the win for the Chiefs. He pitched three innings, allowing no runs, only one hit, walked one, and struck out two hitters. His record now stands at 1-1.
Northview improved its record to 7-2 on the season. The Chiefs will take the field again on Thursday with a home game against West Florida at 5:30.
Former Sheriff’s Office Accountant Now Accused Of Stealing $1.2 Million
March 9, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department now says over $1 million was stolen from their department by a former accountant.
Cathy Lister was first charged in February with stealing $100,000 from the sheriff’s office, but that number has grown to $1.2 million as the investigation continues, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, ECSO spokesperson. Roy said Monday that the money was taken over a 10 year period from monies seized as part of investigations and placed the department’s Evidence Trust Fund.
The State Attorney’s Office is expected to upgrade the charges against Lister.
Lister was 32-year employee of the department who retired from the finance division just days before her arrest.
“Recently implemented accounting practices along with discrepancies noticed by employees led to an investigation being launched,” Roy said in February. Lister was reportedly keeping two sets of financial records for the office.
Lister was released from the Escambia County Jail on $25,000 bond. Her trial is scheduled to begin in June. She was pleaded not guilty to the current charges against her.
Crimson Tide Visits White House
March 9, 2010
The BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide met with President Barack Obama Monday afternoon at the White House, honoring their 13th championship and their undefeated 2009 season.
Coach Saban “asked his players if they wanted to work hard enough to beat their teammates in a drill, or if they wanted to work hard enough to be the best team in the country. And it’s pretty clear what choice they made,” Obama said. He was presented with a Crimson Tide football jersey with the number “1″.
“That’s the kind of tone this team sets, both on and off the field. It’s why these young men — and this is something I’m very proud of — had the second highest graduation rate of any team ranked in the top 25. It shows that these guys have their priorities straight. Together, they contributed more than 3,500 hours of community service that Alabama students — student athletes performed last year.”
Prior to their White House visit, the team met with a group of children from one of Washington’s roughest neighborhoods, teaching the importance of staying in school and making healthy choices.
“That’s how champions act -– in football and in life,” Obama said.
Alabama Senator Richard Shelby attended the ceremony. But conspicuously absent was White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, an Auburn graduate. Obama said Gibbs was hiding in his office.
Pictured top: President Barack Obama smiles as he is presented with a University of Alabama football jersey during a ceremony honoring the national champion Crimson Tide football team, in the East Room of the White House Monday afternoon. Pictured below: Obama shakes hands with University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman trophy winner. White House photos, click to enlarge.
37 People Busted When Illegal Bar Raided
March 9, 2010
Alabama’s Alcohol Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division and local law enforcement busted 37 people in Atmore after raiding a bar operating illegally in the north part of town.
The ABC Board, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office and the Atmore Police Department conducted the Sunday night raid at 104 Etheridge Street, rounding up those inside and hauling off two pickup truckloads of alcohol.
The 37 people are facing on charges ranging from illegally consuming alcohol, selling alcohol on Sunday, concealed weapons violations and drug possession.
The following individuals are facing multiple charges:
- Willie Calhoun Jr., Brooks Lane, Atmore – possession of marijuana second degree, carrying concealed weapon, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
- Charles Frye, Etheridge Drive, Atmore – possession of untaxed alcohol, two counts of possession to sell, two counts of selling alcohol without a license, Sunday sales
- Sharron Frye, Etheridge Drive, Atmore – possession of untaxed alcohol, two counts of possession to sell, two counts of selling alcohol without a license, Sunday sales
- Gary Hollins, Carl Avenue, Atmore – possession of marijuana first degree, possession controlled substance, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
- Willie Wiggins, MLK Drive, Atmore – possession of marijuana second degree, carrying concealed weapon, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
- Diana Wiggins, James Street, Atmore – possession of marijuana first degree, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
The following individuals were charged with consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday:
- Anthony Betts, Gray Street, Atmore
- Gwendolyn Boston, Carver Avenue, Atmore
- Christopher Brown, Crow Street, Atmore
- Larry Brown, E. Sunset Drive, Atmore
- Felicia Banks Bullard, Brooks Lane, Atmore
- Marquita Cooper, Curtis Street, Atmore
- Kennedy Crook, Carver Avenue, Atmore
- Tommy Dortch, Tenth Avenue, Atmore
- David L. Fountain, Carl Avenue, Atmore
- Curley Johnson, Dailey Street, Atmore
- Elbert Lambert, Northgate Drive, Atmore
- Tomorrian Knight, Westbrook Lane, Atmore
- Robert E. Lee, MLK Drive, Atmore
- Willie Lewis Lee, E. Laurel Street, Atmore
- Rosalind D. Leslie, Pine Street, Atmore
- Timothy D. Lucas, E. Ashley Street, Atmore
- Carl Martin, Mobile Street, Atmore
- James A. Maye, N. Main Street, Atmore
- Wanda Montgomery Mims, Shedrick Hardy Parkway, Bay Minette
- Robert Montgomery, Virginia Drive, Atmore
- Leo Mitchell, Virginia Drive, Atmore
- Tonia McCants, James Road, Atmore
- Derick McCracken, Brooks Lane, Atmore
- Vanessa E. McNeal, 10 Avenue, Atmore
- Kenyon N. Riley, Sunset Drive, Atmore
- Robert Simmons, Etheridge Drive, Atmore
- Leon Spencer, 4th Avenue, Atmore
- Robert Pool, Park Drive, Atmore
- Jackie Lee Turner, Virginia Drive, Atmore
- Kimberly Williams, Stagecoach Road, Spanish Fort
- Sarah P. Williams, Ashley Street, Atmore
Molino Man Graduates From Basic Infantry Training
March 9, 2010
Army Pvt. Jadrian J. Bell has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
Bell is the son of Clifton Bell of Richardson Road, Molino, Fla., and Kaevetta Hinson of Sun Valley Drive, Pensacola, Fla.
He is a 2008 graduate of Pensacola High School.
Rain Becoming Widespread; Heavy Rain, Storms By Wednesday
March 9, 2010
Scattered showers will become more widespread across the area today with heavy rain and thunderstorms on the way for Wednesday and Wednesday night.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 55. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 68. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Theron Maddox
March 8, 2010
Mr. Theron Maddox, 82, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at a Mobile hospital.
Mr. Maddox was a native of Brewton, AL, a resident of Atmore, AL for the past 57 years, and an employee of Hainje’s Furniture Store for 52 years. He attended the First Baptist Church for the past 16 years and was a deacon at the Martinville Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his Parents, 3 Brothers and a Sister.
Survivors include: his Wife of 57 years, Florence Maddox of Atmore, AL; his Son, Tim Maddox of Atmore, AL; and 3 Grandchildren, Amanda Raines of Atmore, AL, Caitlin Maddox of Atmore, AL, and Troy Maddox of Los Lunas, NM.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation was Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Lady Chiefs Win T.R. Miller Tourney; Now 13-0
March 8, 2010
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs won the T.R. Miller Invitational Tournament this weekend in Brewton, extending their winning streak with a perfect 13-0 record on the season.
Friday night, the Chiefs beat the Escambia County Blue Devils of Atmore 14-0 and beat host T.R. Miller 12-6.
Saturday, Northview beat Florala 11-3, Monroe County 11-2 and Florala 24-0. In the championship game, the Lady Chiefs defeated T.R. Miller 10-6.
Facebook Reaction To TV Report: Proud To Say I Live In Jay
March 8, 2010
Following a murder in nearby Berrydale and subsequent media reports that painted a potentially racist picture of Jay, a group of Jay residents have formed a Facebook page to promote pride in Jay.
The Facebook page “Proud To Say I Live In Jay” was formed by Caytlyn Gonzalez, a 2009 graduate of Jay High School. She created the site after a report aired by WEAR television included an interview with a white man that claimed to be from Jay. The man, identified by the television station as only “anonymous”, said that black people should not come to places that they are not wanted.
“This group is dedicated to proving that the town of Jay is not racist. Those who are proud of where they are from can post their remarks on the news media. We need to prove to the media we are not a racial town. Just good, proud, Southern, people,” the info section of the Facebook page says. “We are happy to live where we live, people are welcome to come and go as they please.”
Sunday night, there were just under 200 members of the Jay Facebook site.
” The tragedy in Jay has nothing to do with race. No matter what color you are, it is unthinkable to threaten people with guns in order to settle an argument,” one member said.
“Anyone who has ever been to Jay knows that we aren’t racist. We love each other and don’t go out of our ways to teach people otherwise,” another resident wrote.
To visit or join the “Proud To Say I Live In Jay” Facebook page, click here.