U.S. Marshals Nab Two Escambia County Fugitives

October 20, 2012

The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested two wanted men in Escambia County; one hiding under bed sheets and the other trying to hide drugs.

Friday, the Marshals Task Force captured Mario Deoandre Copeland on Action Street in Ensley. The Marshals Task Force determined that Copeland was in a home and Task Force Officers from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office knocked on the front door and called to Copeland to come out. Officers had to breach the door of the home after knocking several more times and saw someone inside who would not open the door. Officer found him hiding under bed sheets.

The Escambia County TAC Unit, K-9 and Air Unit also assisted in Copeland’s arrest. Copeland is wanted in Escambia County for being a felon in possession of a weapon, fleeing/eluding and a probation violation for possession of cocaine.

Copeland is one of several suspects who allegedly ran from law enforcement after a felony car stop back in late August. A.45 Caliber handgun was recovered on the front seat of the car, and a 100 round magazine for an AK-47 assault rifle was also left behind in a nearby wooded area. Marshals said Copeland allegedly made statements that he was going to shoot an officer.

Thursday, the Task Force apprehended 29 year old Robert Rufus Ball, Jr. who was wanted for failure to register as a convicted sex offender at a home on Belair Road. Officers found him inside the home trying to hide a plastic bag of marijuana in the toilet tank and swallow crack cocaine — resulting in additional charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana more than 20 grams and resisting arrest without violence.

Authorities seized about 63 grams of marijuana and 9.3 grams of crack cocaine.

Both men were booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.

Comments

5 Responses to “U.S. Marshals Nab Two Escambia County Fugitives”

  1. Bratt Mom on October 21st, 2012 10:38 pm

    Please continue the good work Officer’s. Job well done!

  2. Jane on October 21st, 2012 7:12 pm

    One of these guys frequents areas of Molino. Take a good look…you probably have seen him.

  3. dolors on October 20th, 2012 7:02 am

    Good job fellars…
    And many more to go. Dont stop now.

  4. Citizen on October 20th, 2012 6:24 am

    Well done all you LEOS. Keep up the good work! We law abiding citizens appreciate all you do for us.

  5. Mike Stuart on October 20th, 2012 5:48 am

    Good work task force.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News