Speedy Finish: Sheriff’s Office Recovers Molino Teen’s Kart Racing Gear

May 15, 2013

A championship kart racing Molino teen, and his sister, are headed for the starting line this weekend thanks to the speedy work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Tuesday afternoon, Investigator David Preston returned about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear back to the Parker family. Jarrett Parker, 18, is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning  state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events.

But the brakes were put on his racing career after the burglary at the family workshop on Gibson road on May 4. A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing  like lawn equipment were left behind.

After a story about the thefts appeared on NorthEscambia.com on May 6, the Sheriff’s Office and family began to receive tips that led to the recovery of the racing equipment.

“I’m glad to have this stuff back where I can race again,” Jarrett Parker said Tuesday afternoon as the family picked up the tires, engines and more at the Molino Sheriff’s Substation. Almost every piece of stolen equipment was recovered undamaged, other than the suspects had attempted to change the appearance of several engines by painting them.

Preston said arrests are forthcoming in the case, but declined to provide further details about the suspects.

Jarrett said he plans to race this weekend in State Line, Mississippi. And sister Lakelynn Parker is getting into the action too in her first major kart race.

“I won’t beat him,” Lakelynn said, smiling. “But that’s because I’m in a different class.”

Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s 10-year old teammate Chambers McGilberry of Selma, Ala. Jarrett Parker has been serving as a mentor for McGilberry for several months.

“The Lord has blessed us,”  mom Tammra Parker said. offering her thanks to everyone that helped spread the word about the burglary, leading to the recovery. “We are truly grateful.”

Pictured top: Molino teen Jarrett Parker with about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear returned Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured top inset:  The suspects attempted to change the appearance of motors by painting them. Pictured bottom inset: Parker thanks Escambia County Sheriff’s Investigator David Preston. Pictured inset: Jarrett Parker and his father Cott discuss the case with Preston Tuesday afternoon in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

18 Responses to “Speedy Finish: Sheriff’s Office Recovers Molino Teen’s Kart Racing Gear”

  1. BIL on May 17th, 2013 2:42 pm

    Good Job Kojak! The ECSO needs to promote you! Promote to Sergeant NOW!

  2. Don Dixon Jr. on May 16th, 2013 10:40 pm

    Well done David Preston and deputies. Our quite communities all around this nation would turn wicked overnight without the LAW!

  3. Larry Brown on May 16th, 2013 7:59 am

    Many thanks to people and friends that helped and spoke up to have such swift action on getting their racing stuff back!! We are truley blessed!!

    GrandPa and Grand Ma Brown

  4. Eyes Wide Open on May 16th, 2013 7:09 am

    @ marian mobley:
    You are so right. We never know, something that we think is nothing can be the key that an investergater needs to blow a case wide open. Keep your “Eyes Wide Open” pay attention you never know you may see something that could help get these Piles of Crap off our streets!! Heck you might even help a neighbor, a loved one, or ever yourself get your stuff back. If you see something that don’t look right make a mental note or write it down, you may hear later of something that has happened and that note could be just what the police need. The cops can’t be everywhere and I’m sure they would be greatful for all the eyes and ears they can get. If all of us would do this ours streets and homes would be more safe. I wished someone would have seen something a few years ago when my home got broke into.
    Put these criminals on notice, “Eyes Wide Open” we are watching you!! If you do the crime, get ready to do the time!!

  5. marian mobley on May 15th, 2013 5:00 pm

    Take note this is what happens when people come forward. This needs to happen everytime something goes on and people see it or hear who does it,
    just tell. How great those are who bother to tell someone.
    about the robbery.

  6. Henry Coe on May 15th, 2013 4:19 pm

    WTG Law Enforcement. I look forward to reading about the losers who stole his stuff. Glad they got there stuff back in record time. Good job by everyone that gave tips to LE.

  7. EMD on May 15th, 2013 2:58 pm

    So glad these were found and returned.

  8. KC on May 15th, 2013 11:06 am

    Thanks William. Sorry, I must have overlooked that when I was reading through the article. Glad he got his stuff back though.

  9. William on May 15th, 2013 8:42 am

    >>>Just curious, so who was the theif? Someone he raced and competed with? Just some thugs looking to make quick money?

    From the story, “Preston said arrests are forthcoming in the case, but declined to provide further details about the suspects.”

    We will find out who they are after they are arrested.

  10. KC on May 15th, 2013 8:39 am

    Just curious, so who was the theif? Someone he raced and competed with? Just some thugs looking to make quick money?

  11. Ryan Patrick on May 15th, 2013 8:31 am

    This is awesome!

  12. jcellops on May 15th, 2013 8:02 am

    hey william….you guys at NORTHESCAMBIA did a super job at getting the story out there quickly…you played an intregal part, as well, in the recovery of the stolen items….media, responsible citizens and the ECSO–>GREAT job by all !!

  13. James Wilburn on May 15th, 2013 7:53 am

    Great job ECSO and thanks to Crime Stoppers. Thanks Northescambia for covering this case, and getting the word out to public so they can help.

  14. Angela Commander on May 15th, 2013 7:43 am

    Tammy and Family,
    We are all so thankful that everything was returned. Everyone put the word out and it worked!!! GO WIN THIS WEEKEND!!!!

  15. Answered prayers on May 15th, 2013 6:02 am

    Thank you to the LEO’s for getting this family back on the kart track. Many people throught the community have been praying and the prayers have been answered.

  16. 429SCJ on May 15th, 2013 5:09 am

    Wonderful news.

    Great work Detective Preston and ECSD.

  17. well on May 15th, 2013 4:55 am

    GREAT!!!!
    Good job ECSO!!!!

  18. bd on May 15th, 2013 4:41 am

    GREAT job LEO’s!!!!!! Getting this young man’s gear back is a wonderful thing to happen. Best of luck to him on his ride to the top. Now let’s see the names and faces of the garbage that tried to steal all of it………….