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Boyette, Rice Still On The Run As Manhunt Continues
February 7, 2017
UPDATE from 9 am Santa Rosa press conference:
“Sooner or later, he is going to make a mistake, and when he does, we are going to pounce on him,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said during a morning press conference, adding that Boyette knows the woods in Beulah “like the back of his hand”. K-9 units and helicopters are being used in the search.
“The ending is up to him…if he decides he wants to come out with a a gun, we’ll put him down if we have to,” Johnson said.
The U.S. Marshals area also involved in the manhunt and have called in additional marshals from across the country.
No credible information that he is in Santa Rosa County, Johnson said.
“He is a very violent and dangerous man,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said, referring to Boyette’s criminal history prior to the murders.
Mary Barbara Craig Rice was spotted in a Crestview Walmart on February 2.
They have least one gun and have purchased extra ammunition for it.
PREVIOUS STORY:
Day seven of a massive manhunt continued Tuesday for William “Billy” Eugene Boyette Jr., a suspect in three recent murders and Mary Barbara Craig Rice, now considered an accomplice.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has doubled the number of uniformed deputies on the streets, and the reward in the case has increased to $21,000.
On Monday, Boyette allegedly shot Kayla Crocker during a home invasion robbery on Beulah Road. Her 2-year old in the house was unharmed. The couple stole her 2006 white Chevrolet Cobalt with Florida tag 9613BJ. The vehicle may have right passenger door damage and it has a skull and cross-bone sticker on the back window. Boyette and Rice then made a purchase at a local Shell station and then proceeded to get breakfast at Hardee’s.
That vehicle has not been recovered.
Rice has dyed her hair orange. Boyette did not exit the vehicle at the Shell or Hardees.
“Once again our suspect is mobile,” Sheriff David Morgan said. “We have called in all of our available resources.”
Boyette, 44, is a suspect in the shooting death of 30-year old Alicia Greer and 39-year old Jacqueline Moore in Milton at the Emerald Sands Inn on Tuesday and 52-year old Peggy Broz Friday morning in Lillian, AL.
Law enforcement officers in multiple counties spent Sunday following up on alleged sightings of Boyette, but all turned out not to be him.
He allegedly stole the victim’s car Friday in Lillian. That vehicle was found abandoned in Beulah Saturday morning on Nine Mile Road near the I-10 intersection, not far from Navy Federal. That led authorities to believe that he might be in Escambia County where he has family ties. A K-9 search around the car turned up nothing.
“I want to emphasize to the community that we are looking now, aggressively, for someone who is a killer in our community,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said during a joint news conference Saturday afternoon.
“Some are saying, ’sheriff, you’re scaring our community.’ I hope I am. If Mr. Boyette and his family are listening, I intend to aggressively pursue anyone that aids, abets or assists in any way in Mr. Boyette’s continued evasion of law enforcement,” Morgan said. “We have reason to believe that he’s involved in three homicides to date. For God’s sake, let’s don’t make it four.”
“I cannot overemphasize how dangerous this suspect is,” Morgan said. “Do not — I repeat, do not — in any way attempt to contact or have contact with Mr. Boyette. Get on your telephone and notify law enforcement. Citizens are not equipped to deal with this.”
Anyone with information on Boyette’s whereabouts should call 911. Authorities said he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Comments
14 Responses to “Boyette, Rice Still On The Run As Manhunt Continues”
My prayes goes out to each family that has lost love ones. My heart aches right now for all. Especially the young mother who was shot in front of her baby. WOW. I pray that he will stop this madness and turn hisself in. My prayers are also for his family.
Maybe god will strike him dead in this weather…. I pray for that!!!
yeah Beulah is home of meth people go there to live and never be seen it’s a close nit community. I’m with others living in the woods this long is not easy.
For those who are so quick to come down on law enforcement and the court system please take the time to read why he was not locked away long ago, One victim did not show up for court and could not be found due to having warrants out for her. Others withdraw their complaints and on and on. The system can work if the victim will testify and not change their story. Other wise the court has to let the person go. It’s not a good system — but it’s what we have to live under some times.
In the event these two are getting updates, maybe State Attorney Bill Eddings should offer up a deal to Mary Rice. You find a way to turn yourself in and testify against Billy, we won’t pursue the death penalty against you. That might encourage her to put a bullet in his head and end this fiasco.
Here’s hoping that Billy and Mary are seeking shelter from the weather by hunkering down under the tallest pine tree in the forest…right before the lightning bolt strikes.
What if a civilian shot & killed them both? Not a bounty hunter, mind you, just a regular citizen. Would they get the reward or a 2-count murder charge? Just curious.
It’s not nearly as easy stay hidden and fed in the woods as most people think, especially without plenty of skills or the correct tools. Based on what they are carrying them in the picture, and the rains coming down, I don’t expect them to stay there much longer.
Please,my Father,let this come to an end…….Amen
Sheriff David Morgan said that he is known to use spice and stay up for 5-6 days no that sounds more like he use’s Meth.
This fool and his orangetang sidekick hasn’t met up with the right person. In yesterday’s trail cam photo > definitely a gun in his left hand. In her left hand it appeared to be a Mag flashlight and gallon of water. In her right hand it appeared to be a 2 way radio (long and slender). Too large for a cell phone and really didn’t look like a handgun. I can believe that his family/friends/drug dealers are keeping these two updated on the whereabouts of law enforcement. I called a neighbor today to speak with them about this news. Can you believe they didn’t know anything about it. Amazing how many people don’t watch the news, listen to radio or have a computer. Most people have Amber Alerts on their cell phones. Hopefully Law Enforcement could provide an alert to tell everyone about criminal events as heavy as this going on. Everyone be safe out there. Each person knows what they need to do to stay safe inside and outside their home.
Bill Eddins said he is a very violent and dangerous man, using his criminal past as a guide. Had he never been released there would be families that are not hurting from the loss of their daughter, sister, mother or aunt. Law enforcement works their butts off to apprehend criminals and those in charge of the justice system release immature, ignorant abusers because they don’t want to violate the rights of convicted criminals. Here is a kudos to those in charge of our courts, you chose to let another one go and he has destroyed and taken lives, job well done as you spit in the face of victims, their families and our law enforcement officers.
So the cops are waiting and wishing for him to make a mistake? nice.
Remember, in an earlier article it was stated that there are several felony arrest warrants for him (for how long now?) and he was not picked up.
Mrs Rice has to be consumed by this man.She hauls the luggage buys the food and ammunition.She has no idea of the sound of crossfire.