Two Women Charged With Working Together On Multiple Retail Thefts
March 1, 2023
More felony charges have been filed in a retail theft case we first told you about last week.
Madonna Faith Barnhill, 57, and Carolyn Faye Harris, 42, were both charged with second degree felony retail theft act in concert with another person and more than one location within a 30 day period.
Barnhill (pictured, above left) was charged with felony petit theft with two or more prior convictions and felony possession of an anti-shoplifting device after she was accused of placing $606.46 worth of merchandise inside an empty microwave box and walking past all points of sale at the Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard. The merchandise was recovered by Walmart’s loss prevention, and the incident was captured on camera, according to an arrest report.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Harris eluded capture in that incident but was observed on video stealing items, and Walmart chose not to prosecute Harris.
When Barnhill’s vehicle was searched, “an excessive amount of brand new property” was inside, an arrest report states. The vehicle contained brand new power tools, four brand new purses, multiple pieces of clothing and several boxes of jewelry. The clothes and jewelry were from Belk.
Also in the vehicle was a wallet with multiple credit cards belonging to Harris, along with her driver’s license. The report notes the driver’s license confirmed that it was Harris on the Walmart security video.
A loss prevention employee at Belk was able to locate video of both Barnhill and Harris stealing the items from the Pensacola store on February 21. The items were valued at $1,565.71. The Belk employee told deputies that Barnhill had previously stolen from Belk in Mobile and was trespassed warned from all Belk properties.
Barnhill has an “extensive criminal history spanning literally decades and consisting of numerous thefts, faud, false names, forgery” the arrest report states.
Barnhill was released on a $20,000 bond, while Harris was released on a $2,000 bond. Barnhill also had an $8,000 in connection with the Walmart case.
Catholic Church Plans New Community Center On Highway 29 In Cantonment
March 1, 2023
Plans have been filed with Escambia County Building Services for a new 23,000 square foot community center and possibly a future church on Highway 29.
The St. Jude and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Community Center would be located on 12.25 acres on Highway 29 at Pinoak Lane. A site plan shows 40 asphalt parking spaces and grass overflow parking, both with access from PinOak Lane. It also shows future plans for a church building and 46 additional parking spaces to complete a circular access to Cedar Tree Lane.
The site is not currently developed.
The plans must first go to the Escambia County Development Review Committee before reaching the building permit stage.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
FDOH Escambia Offers Free HIV Rapid Testing This Thursday
March 1, 2023
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) offers free HIV rapid testing at the After-Hours Clinic, held on the first Thursday of each month. The next After-Hours Clinic is March 2, at FDOH-Escambia’s 1295 West Fairfield Drive location.
Free HIV rapid testing is also available each Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at FDOH-Escambia.
The testing is open to the public, with no appointment needed.
- What: Free HIV Rapid Testing After-Hours Clinic
- Who: Open to the public, no appointment needed
- When: Thursday, March 2 between 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.*
- Where: FDOH-Escambia, 1295 W Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL
- How: The rapid HIV test gives highly accurate results in as little as 15 minutes. All testing is confidential and conducted in a private clinic setting.
Tate Takes West Florida; Northview Defeats T.R. Miller (With Gallery)
March 1, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat West Florida, and Northview defeated T.R. Miller Tuesday night.
Tate 4, West Florida 1
The Tate Aggies beat West Florida 4-1 Tuesday night.
Ethan McAnnally pitched the win for Tate, going four innings while allowing four hits and one run while walking one and striking out six. Colton Swiers went for one inning, allowing no hits and no runs while sitting down two and walking one. Gabriel Patterson pitched for two, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out five.
James Davis and Frank Randall were both 2-2 at bat to lead the Aggies. Brayden Touchstone and Javin Floyd had one hit each.
The Tate Aggies will host Crestview at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
For a photo gallery from Tate varsity and JV, click here.
Tate 8, West Florida 4 (JV)
Northview 3, T.R. Miller 1
The Northview Chiefs beat T.R. Miller 3-1 Tuesday night in Brewton.
Cason Burkett earned the win for the Chiefs. He allowed four hits and one run in six and third innings while striking out six and walking one. Jamarcus Jefferson tossed two-thirds of inning in relief, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out two.
Jefferson, Kaden Odom, Luke Bridges, Rustin Pope, Wyatt Scruggs, and Trent Knighten each had one hit for Northview.
Northview will travel to West Florida Friday night at 6:30.
Pictured: Tate varsity and junior varsity beat West Florida Tuesday. Varsity photos by Laura Glodfelter and JV by Julie Reaves for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Escambia 13-6; Northview Falls To Pace (With Gallery)
March 1, 2023
Tate beat Escambia and Northview hosted Pace in softball action Tuesday night.
Pace 18, Northview 0
The Pace Patriots defeated the Northview Chiefs 18-0 Tuesday night in Bratt.
Emma Gilmore led off in the circle for Northview, going three innings while allowing no runs, no walks, and one hit while striking out three. Aubrey Stuckey threw three innings in relief.
After tournament action over the weekend, Northview will host Baker Tuesday at 6 p.m.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Tate 13, Escambia 6
The Tate Aggies beat Escambia 13-6 Tuesday night at EHS.
Jordan Smith earned the win for the Aggies. She went seven innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking none.
Tate had homers from Charli Vinson in the first and Peyton Womack in the seventh.
Womack led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-3 with three runs and two RBIs. Lacy Wilson, Amburleigh Laird, Vinson, Olivea Latner, Tristen Showalter, Kate Balagbagan, Blakely Campbell, MacKenzie Cook, and Miranda Gaut all had a hit for Tate.
The Lady Aggies will travel to Robertsdale at 6:30 p.m. on March 1.
Pictured: Northview hosted Pace Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Tennis Defeats Pace 5-2
March 1, 2023
The Tate High School girls tennis team defeated Pace High 5-2 on Tuesday to improve to 4-1 overall. Tate girls tennis will face Milton on Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Applications Close For Escambia County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
March 1, 2023
Applications have now closed for the Escambia County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.
The program opened in July 2022 to provide assistance for homeowners struggling to pay mortgages or utilities due to COVID-19. Funded under the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, eligible households could receive assistance of up to but not exceeding three months’ costs, or $8,000.
ECSO Investigating Reported Abduction Of Teen Girl In Bratt; She Was Found Unharmed
February 28, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the reported abduction of a teenage girl in Bratt Tuesday.
“We are investigating the validity of that claim and will continue that investigation,” ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis told NorthEscambia.com.
The girl reported that she was abducted from her home in Bratt by a male that forced her to drive away in her father’s pickup truck.
The Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS responded to the “Bratt Crossroads” store at the intersection of North Highway 99 and West Highway 4 where the alleged victim was evaluated by EMS. She was not injured.
The pickup truck was found abandoned next to North Pine Barren Road just south of Bratt Road, about three miles from her home.
An ECSO K-9 and multiple deputies searched the area, but the alleged suspect was not located.
There was no suspect description available.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Located: Woman Wanted For Questioning In Deadly Escambia Pit Bull Attack
February 28, 2023
UPDATE — This individual has been located
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a woman for questioning only in the death of a 60-year old man killed by pit bulls Friday night in Escambia County.
The ECSO wants to speak with Kathleen Ann Taylor.
The attack happened about 10:15 p.m. Friday in the 400 block of Norris Avenue, off Massachusetts Avenue.
“A witness observed a male being attacked by three pit bulls. The witness managed to scare the dogs away and immediately called 911,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Unfortunately, due to the victim’s injuries sustained in the attack, he later died.”
Escambia County Animal Control was unable to locate the dogs Friday night. They returned with deputies at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“One pit bull was observed and attempted to avoid capture. The animal was still very aggressive and was shot by a deputy. The animal was captured and is receiving medical treatment,” ECSO said Saturday.
A second pit bull was later located and captured. At last report, the third dog had not been located.
The name of the victim was not released.
Anyone with information on Taylor’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
11 Arrested In Internet Child Predator Sting
February 28, 2023
A joint investigation involving the Pensacola Police ,the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Security has resulted in the arrests of 11 men.
“As we work together with our law enforcement partners, we will do everything possible to stop these child predators. Internet crimes against children are, and will always be a priority of the Pensacola Police Department. This operation is an example of law enforcement collaboration to ensure the safety of our children,” Chief Eric Randall said.
- Christopher A. Harrington, 40 — released on $50,000 bond
- Steven E. Pace, 25 — held on $35,000 bond
- Brandon M. Webb, 35 — held on $100,000 bond
- Khairul Subha, 32 — held on $35,000
- Marion D. Wassman, 55 — held on $45,000 bond
- Devin N. Shackleford, 25, held on $80,000 bond
- Justin McClendon, 33 — held on $68,500 bond
- Ryan Jarod Hester, 25 — held without bond
- Frank B. Rhobotham, 74 — released on $20,000 bond
- George Tolbert, 63 — held on $80,000 bond
- John W. Hairelson, 38 — held on $100,000 bond
“There is nothing more disturbing than the exploitation of an innocent child, and it’s very satisfying to identify and arrest predators before they can act,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division Sherri E. Onks. Coordinated efforts like this operation reinforce the message that victimizing children will never be tolerated by law enforcement. The FBI and our partners at the Pensacola Police Department will continue to proactively work together to stop these heinous crimes and protect the most vulnerable members in our society.”
Details on the operation were not released.