Couple Arrested For Multi-State Crime Spree

April 29, 2016

A man and woman who were on a multi-state crime spree have been taken into custody after racking up charges locally and in several other states.

The pair were arrested in Montgomery County, TX, said Detective Shannan Briarton. They were wanted locally for purse snatching incidents that occurred last week at businesses in Pensacola and Santa Rosa County. They were taken into custody in Texas after a deputy found them sleeping in a car that had been stolen in Santa Rosa County.

The suspects – Timmie Sawyer, 25, of Oklahoma City, OK and Justin Turner 25, of Edmond, OK– have each been charged by the Pensacola Police Department with grand theft, fraudulently using credit cards more than two times, and robbery.

The first incident occurred around 2 p.m. April 16 when the suspects drove up to a woman in the parking lot of Walmart, 2650 Creighton Road. Sawyer tried to steal the woman’s purse but the woman, who was in her 20s, struggled with Sawyer and the couple left without the purse. The victim was not hurt.

The second incident occurred around 11 p.m. April 18 when Sawyer entered the Walmart in Pace, stole a 75-year-old woman’s purse out of a shopping cart and left the store, but not before Sawyer pushed a 64-year-old woman who tried to stop her from leaving. The woman fell but wasn’t injured.

Turner was waiting outside the Pace Walmart in a car that had been stolen from Oklahoma. The pair left the area, but returned a short time later and stole the 75-year-old woman’s car, which they located by using the key fob.

Briarton said the suspects have been linked to similar crimes in Niceville, Destin and Escambia County in addition to Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is also in the process of filing charges. The investigation is continuing and they may be tied to additional crimes elsewhere.

Anyone having information on the suspects is asked to contact Detective Shannan Briarton at (850) 435-1978, by email at sbriarton@cityofpensacola.com or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.

Comments

12 Responses to “Couple Arrested For Multi-State Crime Spree”

  1. brittney adams on May 2nd, 2016 8:28 am

    I think they should also be chargeddbwith cruelty to the elder. By God that burns me up knowing a sorry individual could do a harmless elderly lady that way. There is a special place for people like them.

  2. Roll Tide on May 1st, 2016 12:17 pm

    William, we need a like button on your comment section. Tywona would have racked up a bunch of likes for her great tip!

  3. Jeannie on April 30th, 2016 6:22 am

    Why would anyone think they are given the right to take something that belongs to someone else? I cant wrap this around my head. still signs of the times that the LORD is coming back, Dear God help us to be ready at all times.

  4. Tina on April 29th, 2016 5:30 pm

    In addition to Tywona’s tip, I wrap the strap numerous times around the purse strap and the buggy. Go to the vegetable area and grab one of those plastic bags and run that through your purse and strap, then tie in knot. They won’t be leaving with my purse without a struggle. I will hit with anything I can get my hands on – a frozen package of meat would work great., a 2 liter bottle of soda, a gallon of milk. Anything that is heavy. Us women must take charge and stop all this shenanigans.

  5. nod on April 29th, 2016 2:45 pm

    What are they going to do to them? Probably a year for the guy and nothing for the girl. If anything.

  6. Dumb Criminals on April 29th, 2016 2:03 pm

    Why would someone not be watching the car if they knew the idiots had the keys. I would have staked out my vehicle for atleast the next 32 hours!!!!

  7. anne on April 29th, 2016 2:02 pm

    Tywona is a thinker! It’s easier for those of us without small kids. I’ve always kept one hand on my purse but then again, I never need the space on the bottom of the basket so I never have to let go. Guess we all need to carry pepper spray or something.

  8. Mandy on April 29th, 2016 11:14 am

    Very Good TIP Tywona! Thanks :-) I will start doing that.

  9. Charlotte on April 29th, 2016 9:27 am

    That’s a good tip Tywona. I do that all the time, and make sure the zipper is also closed. I don’t leave the shopping cart, but when you turn around or bend down to get something, that is when it happens. So, I hope more women will do this.

  10. DJC on April 29th, 2016 9:13 am

    @Tywona:

    Great advice!

  11. Jim on April 29th, 2016 8:49 am

    @Tywona: Ihave a better idea. Don’t leave your purse in tbe buggy.

  12. Tywona on April 29th, 2016 8:04 am

    I have a TIP… when using the buggy’s at the store put your purse straps in the kid safety strap. They can’t just grab it !!

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