State Arrests Man In Escambia County For ‘Sophisticated Fuel Theft Operation’
March 15, 2026
A 26-year-old man was arrested in Escambia County in what state authorities described as a sophisticated fuel theft operation spanning multiple counties.
Alain De Jesus Aguila-Martinez, 26, was charged with larceny — tampering with or removing a retail fuel dispenser by the Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE). He also had active warrants for multiple felony charges, including organized fraud, retail fuel theft tampering, and petit theft.
Officers at the Florida Agricultural Inspection Station on I-10 identified a blue semi-truck pulling a refrigerated trailer that matched the description of a vehicle linked to a sophisticated fuel theft operation spanning Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.
During the inspection, an OALE K-9 unit conducted a free-air sniff around Aguila-Martinez’s 2002 Freightliner semi-truck and alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large magnet concealed under the driver’s steering wheel, authorities said. The magnet was identified as “a device commonly used to manipulate fuel pump solenoids, enabling the unauthorized theft of diesel fuel”.
Pineview Church Road South Of Jay To Close On Monday
March 15, 2026
Pineview Church Road south fo Jay will be closed beginning Monday.
The bridge over Mare Branch Creek will be closed for repairs with with between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
Weather permitting, this project is expected to be completed by Friday, March 20.
Drivers in the area can detour from Pineview Church Road south to Highway 89 and north to Hollandtown Church Road.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back With Win Over Macon Mayhem (Gallery)
March 15, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers bounced back on Small Dog Race Night defeating the Macon Mayhem 4–2 on Saturday night at the Hangar to close out the weekend series.
Macon struck first midway through the opening period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity to take the early lead. The Mayhem carried the 1–0 advantage into the first intermission despite several strong pushes from Pensacola.
The Ice Flyers responded in the second period as Jack Suchy continued his hot weekend, scoring his fourth goal of the series to even the game at 1–1. Less than 30 seconds later, the Hangar erupted when Porter Schachle netted his first professional goal, giving Pensacola its first lead of the night. Macon answered with a goal from Khaden Henry to tie the game, but the Ice Flyers regained momentum before the break when Andrew Poulias found the back of the net to send Pensacola into the second intermission with a 3–2 lead.
Pensacola extended its advantage early in the third period when Zack Bross buried a goal to make it 4–2. The intensity ramped up later in the frame as a series of roughing penalties got the home crowd on its feet, but the Ice Flyers held strong defensively down the stretch to secure the victory.
With the win, Pensacola earns two valuable points in the standings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fifth Suspect In Atmore MLK Day Shooting Arrested In Florida
March 15, 2026
A fifth suspect has been arrested in connection with a MLK Day shooting in Atmore.
A U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Emonee Demontaen Long recently on felony warrants from Atmore for felon in possession of a firearm and felony violation of probation on an original charge of discharging a gun into an occupied building.
He was found and arrested as Cessna Landing on Hogtown Bayou near Santa Rosa Beach. Once at the Walton County Jail, a large quantity of tobacco and spice were found hidden on his person, according to WCSO.
The Walton County authorities filed additional charges against Long of introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, felony possession of synthetic cannabis, possession of marijuana, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
He will face extrication back to Atmore once the Florida charges are satisfied.
Four others were previously arrested and charged.
Jijavious Jadarrius Williams (first photo below, left) and Jitayvious Jamar Williams (first photo below, right), both from Baldwin County, were each charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle, and one count of shooting into an occupied building.
Nathaniel Crenshaw (second photo below, left) was charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and one count of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle. His brother, Tobijah Keimond Crenshaw (second photo below, right and bottom photo) was arrested during a traffic stop for two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and on count of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle.
Teen Girl Airlifted After Accidental Shooting Near Century
March 14, 2026
A 17-year-old female was accidentally shot Friday night near Century.
The incident happened around 8:40 p.m. on Carnley Road, just northeast of Century.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, someone was cleaning a .45-caliber weapon that they thought to be unloaded. The weapon discharged, hitting the teen in the upper leg.
The victim was airlifted by Aircare medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
The ECSO said foul play was not suspected in the incident.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NWS: EF1 Tornado Caused Damage On Poarch Creek Reservation Near Atmore
March 14, 2026
The National Weather Service has determined that damage on the Poarch Creek Reservation north of Atmore early Thursday morning was caused by an EF1 tornado.
The 12:53 a.m. tornado had an estimated peak wind of 100 mph and traveled for 0.63 miles with a maximum width of 80 yards. It was on the ground for approximately two minutes.
The tornado began in a field adjacent to the PCI Gym. The heavy part of a scoreboard was tossed 200 yards, while the lighter half was tossed about 500 yards away. The tornado also lifted a significant portion of roofing material on the gym and snapped a short power pole.
The tornado continued to the east-southeast, reaching its strongest point prior to crossing Lynn McGhee Drive where it snapped numerous small hardwood trees and pushed over several road signs. This is also where the tornado reached its peak width at approximately 80 yards.
After crossing Lynn McGhee Drive and Green Road, a softwood tree was snapped mid-trunk with large amounts of small tree debris and limbs scattered across the adjacent field.
The tornado continued weakening as it moved southeast and then east across Creek Drive, causing minor roofing and siding damage to buildings. The last visible damage point was along Jack Springs Road where a large oak tree was uprooted facing east-southeast.
Navy JROTC Students In Escambia County Ordered to Stop Wearing Uniforms, Gear
March 14, 2026
Members of the Navy JROTC at high schools in Escambia County are being told not to wear their uniforms, gear, or any other NJROTC clothing on or off campus for now. The order from the NJROTC comes after a gunman opened fire in an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia on Thursday, killing an instructor and injuring two others.
Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard said the directive came directly from the Navy, and Escambia County schools, including Northview, will comply.
Two ROTC programs in Escambia high schools are affiliated with other branches of service. Tate High School has an Army ROTC program, while Pensacola High School has an Air Force unit.
Leonard said the district is staying in contact with the Army and Air Force ROTC commands for any possible directives, but as of Friday evening nothing had been issued.
The superintendent noted that next week is Spring Break for Escambia schools.
Pictured: A recent NJROTC Annual Military Inspection at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats L.E.A.D. Academy, Tate Softball Slips To WFHS
March 14, 2026
BASEBALL
Northview 14, L.E.A.D. Academy 4
The Northview Chiefs defeated L.E.A.D. Academy of Pace 14-4 on Friday night in Bratt.
Mason went 3-4 for the Chiefs with three RBIs. Grayden Sheffield, Gauge Harrison, Jase Portwood, and Sam Reid had two RBIs each.
For a photo gallery, click here.
First on the mound, Portwood earned the win for the Chiefs, allowing no hits and no runs in three and two-thirds innings, walking two and striking out six.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 3, Tate 2
The West Florida Lady Jags defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 3-2 on Friday night at WFHS.
Sarah Mitchell went six innings for the Aggies, allowing two hits, three earned runs, walking four and striking out seven.
Ke’Anna Smith had one RBI for Tate as she went 1-3 at the plate. Jordyn Banks and Brelynn Morris each also had one hit for Tate.
The Lady Aggies will take off for spring break, returning with a road trip to Escambia on March 26.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
PPD Officer Arrested For Allegedly Failing To Disclose HIV Status To Partner
March 14, 2026
A Pensacola Police Department officer has been charged with allegedly having sexual intercourse with someone without informing them of his HIV status.
According to Escambia County Jail records, Pierce Avery Cotton, 32, was charged with third degree felony “crime against person — HIV infected person having sex without informing partner.” He was released Friday afternoon on a $10,000 bond.
In a brief statement released Friday afternoon, a PPD spokesperson said, “On March 13, 2026, the Pensacola Police Department arrested PPD Officer Pierce Cotton, charged with Florida State Statute 384.24(2).”
F.S. 384.24(2) states:
“It is unlawful for any person who has human immunodeficiency virus infection, when such person knows he or she is infected with this disease and when such person has been informed that he or she may communicate this disease to another person through sexual intercourse, to have sexual intercourse with any other person, unless such other person has been informed of the presence of the sexually transmissible disease and has consented to the sexual intercourse.”
PPD said Cotton is currently on administrative leave, and an Internal Affairs investigation is ongoing. The department said no further details will be released at this time.
Cotton is pictured in a February 2023 PPD photo. His mugshot is exempt from disclosure under Florida law.
Mayhem Top Ice Flyers In OT (With Gallery)
March 14, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers and Macon Mayhem delivered a back-and-forth battle on St. Patrick’s Celebration Night on Friday night at the Hangar, with Macon ultimately edging Pensacola 6–5 in overtime.
The Ice Flyers came out strong in the opening period, striking twice on the power play. Cooper Jones opened the scoring for Pensacola before Zack Bross added another man-advantage goal to give the Flyers an early cushion. Macon answered late in the frame when Jake Goldowski found the back of the net, cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the first intermission.
The Mayhem surged in the second period as Eric Neily scored back-to-back goals to give Macon its first lead of the night. Pensacola responded in a big way, however, as Jack Suchy netted two goals of his own to swing the momentum back in the Flyers’ favor and send Pensacola into the final period with a 4–3 lead.
Macon evened things up early in the third when Conor Witherspoon tied the game. The Ice Flyers answered once again as Nicholas Aromatario restored Pensacola’s lead, but the Mayhem refused to go away. Alex Cohen scored later in the period to knot the game at 5–5 and force overtime.
Pensacola thought they had the winner early in the extra frame, but the goal was waved off by officials. Moments later, Michael Herrera found the game-winner for Macon to secure the overtime victory.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
