Arson, Racketeering Charges Filed Against Murder Suspect
April 7, 2018
Ashley McArthur, charged with murdering a woman whose body was found in Cantonment and additional charges of grand theft, has now been charged with starting a fire inside a business and racketerring.
McArthur is facing a first degree murder charge for the death of 33-year old Taylor Wright, a private investigator and former police officer. Wright’s body was found last September off Britt Road, just west of County Road 97 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment. She allegedly stole $34,000 from Wright.
McArthur operated Pensacola Automatic Amusement (PAA) on Pace Boulevard. She was charged in November 2017 with felony grand theft and fraud for the alleged theft of $13,301.04 from the Azalea Cocktail Lounge, which represented funds reported missing between July 10, 2015, and September 14, 2017.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, lounge customers pay for games or the jukebox using cash, credit card or a mobile phone app. The payments were to be split 50-50 between the Azalea Lounge and another company. It was alleged that McArthur was splitting only the cash proceeds with lounge while keeping the proceeds from the credit card and mobile app payments.
Now, McArthur has been charged with arson and racketeering after she set fire to PAA in June 2017, according to court documents. The state alleges she started the fire to avoid a scheduled meeting with representatives of Azalea Lounge. She remains free on a $400,000 bond that was posted on February 5.
Court documents state:
At 10:17 p.m. on June 7, 2017. McArthur closed the office at PAA and did not activate the alarm. This was not uncommon nor was it uncommon for PAA to have a single false alarm report during the night. At 3:35 a.m. the following morning, PAA had eight alarms activated simultaneously which included a burglary alarm on the safe room door. According to the alarm records for 2017, this type of activity was uncommon. The alarm company called McArthur’s mother, Rhonda Britt, and told her that law enforcement had been notified. Britt canceled law enforcement because she stated that it was probably a false alarm.
At 9:56 a.m., MrArthur called 911 to report a fire at PAA. She reported that she arrived at the business at approximately 9:4 a.m. and entered through the back of the building by way of the warehouse. She observed a haze and black smoke marks at the door to the office portion of the building. She exited the building to report the fire.
McArthur did not answer multiple calls from a representative of Azalea Lounge about their planned meeting for that morning. When she answered at a call at 10:45 a.m., said she had a personal issue and could not make the meeting.
The State Fire Marshal found multiple unrelated points of origin for the fire on the first and second floors of PAA. Debris samples tested positive for heavy petroleum distillate, which is an accelerant.of the same type as lamp oil, charcoal starter fluid or diesel fuel. The fires were found to be separate and not connected in cause or origin. All accidental causes of the fire were excluded.
On scene, McArthur reported to the State Fire Marshall’s Office that her mother called her when the alarm went off in the middle of the night and asked her to check on the business. She said she drove by the business and didn’t get out of the car because of the type of neighborhood it is in. She said everything looked fine and returned home.
The portion of the PAA building which was burned contained the type of financial records which pertained to the theft allegations.
ESCO: Woman Crashes On Nine Mile While Fleeing From Deputies
April 7, 2018
A woman that was fleeing from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was seriously injured when she crashed her car into a deep ditch Friday afternoon.
The ECSO said a woman passing fraudulent checks at Synovus Bank on Nine Mile Road near University Parkway left the business after the bank called the sheriff’s office. When the woman saw a patrol vehicle, she drove away at a high speed. Major Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said the deputies did not attempt to stop the woman or pull her over after she sped off.
The woman wrecked about a half mile away and was transported as a “trauma alert” to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Photos courtesy Brianna Girdner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Head-On Wreck East Of Flomaton
April 7, 2018
Three people were injured in a two vehicle head-on crash Friday night east of Flomaton.
The wreck occurred about 8:35 p.m. on Highway 31 near Old Highway 31. The three injured were transported to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton by Escambia County (FL) EMS and McMillan Ambulance.
Additional details have not been released by Alabama State Troopers.
The Friendship and Flomaton fire departments responded, along with the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Flomaton Police Department.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Kayley Groff Signs Tennis Scholarship With Coastal Alabama
April 7, 2018
Tate High School tennis player Kayley Groff signed full ride tennis scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College.
Groff currently plays the number three position for the Tate Aggies with a 9-1 record so far this year.
“She has been a catalyst on the varsity squad for the last three years,” Tate head tennis coach David Bonucchi said.
Groff has also been a member of the Showband of the South for four years participating in Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Concert Band. She is also an exceptional academic student and a member of the Beta Club.
Pictured top: (standing, L-R) Tate High Principal Rick Shackle, Coastal Alabama’s tennis coach (full name unavailable), Tate tennis coach David Bonucchi, (sitting, L-R) mom Kaye Mathis, Kaley Groff, twin sister Haley Groff and Ronnie Antone. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tops Washington, Northview Beats Baker
April 7, 2018
Tate and Northview both earned big wins Friday night in high school baseball.
Tate 10, Washington 3
The Tate High School Aggies Beat the Washington Wildcats 10-3 Friday night.
Cole Fryman earned the victory on the pitcher’s mound for the Aggies. He went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one. Ryan Greene and Gabe Castro helped close out the game in relief.
For Tate: Blake Anderson 1-2, R, RBI; Ethan Bloodsworth 1-3, RBI; Reid Halfacre RBI; Trent Jeffcoat 2-3, 3B, R; Kaden Kings 2-5, RBI; Raymond Lafleur 2-4, 2B, 3RBI; Mason Land 4-4, 4R; RBI; Hunter McLean 2-3, 2R, 2RBI; Jesse Sherrill 1-2, 2R.
Northview 13, Baker 3
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 13-3 Friday night in five innings in game that saw a one hour delay for rain and lightning.
Seth Killam pitched five, allowing five hits, three runs, one error and striking out seven.
For Northview: Trevor Singleton 3-3, 4R, Jackson Moore 2-4, 2B, RBI; Adam Aliff R, RBI; R; Seth Killam 2-4, 3R, RBI; Jason Fischer 2-4, R, RBI; 2-3, R, RBI; Tanner Levins 1-3, R, RBI; John Chivington 1-3, R; 2RBI.
Up next, the Chiefs will host Jay Tuesday at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Horse Passes Away
April 7, 2018
Some sad news to report today..one of the horses that was part of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse has died. Karen Powell’s horse Tag passed away Friday morning. Pictured: Tag and Karen Powell during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse training last November in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Trent Kite Takes Second In State Weightlifting Championship
April 7, 2018
Northview’s Trent Kite placed second Friday in the 2018 FHSAA 1A Weightlifting State Championships at Arnold High School in Panama City.
Kite, a sophomore, competed in the 129-pound weight class, setting personal records in both the bench press and clean and jerk portions of the meet.
In the bench press, Kite pressed 235 pounds, while he cleaned and jerked 210 pounds for a 445 pound total.
The 2nd place finish matches the highest finish in the history of Northview High School. Also finishing second for Northview were Greg Gibson in 1997 and Antheus Straughn in 1999. Kite is the first Northview lifter to place at the state meet since 2004, when Karlos Mims placed fifth in the 238-pound division.
Kite’s second place finish earned five points for Northview, good enough to finish tied for 13th overall in the team standings out of 61 schools competing in the meet and better than eight of the nine region schools represented at the meet.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Bounce Back With Win Over Mobile BayBears
April 7, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos bounced back after a tough loss on Opening Day to beat the Mobile BayBears, 9-1, on Friday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile.
The game was tied at 1-1 until Shed Long drew a bases loaded walk in the seventh inning. A batter later, Gavin LaValley roped a bases-clearing double just inside the third base bag. He would later score and the Wahoos were up 6-1.
Josh VanMeter unloaded a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to make it 9-1 and cap the Pensacola scoring. The blast was his second extra-base hit of the game. He hit a two-out double in the sixth inning.
Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez also shined at the plate for the Blue Wahoos. The Havana, Cuba native singled three times in the game, making him 4-for-7 on the young season.
On the mound Keury Mella got a no-decision despite allowing just one run (earned) over five solid innings. He walked just one with three strikeouts. Robinson Leyer (W, 1-0) was the first guy out of the pen and he scooped up the win with two scoreless innings in relief. He allowed the first two batters he faced to reach safely, before retiring the next six hitters.
Jonah Wesely (L, 0-1) suffered the damage from the Blue Wahoos’ seventh inning rally resulting in his first loss of the season. He was charged with all five runs (four earned).
The two teams continue their five-game series with game three Saturday night at The Hank. Reds #9 prospect RHP Vladimir Gutierrez makes his anticipated Double-A debut against RHP Jose Rodriguez of the BayBears
No Injuries On Loaded School Bus In Highway 29 Wreck
April 6, 2018
No one was injured on an Escambia County School bus crash Friday afternoon on Highway in Cantonment.
There were 40 students from Jim Allen Elementary School on bus, according to Deputy School Superintendent Norm Ross. No serious injuries were reported in the passenger car that was struck by the bus. Both vehicles were moved off the roadway following the crash.
Parents and guardians of the students on Bus 19-15 were notified of the crash.
Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Highway Worker Struck And Killed On Highway 29; Century Woman Seriously Injured
April 6, 2018
A highway worker was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday afternoon on Highway 29 near Siglar Road, north of McDavid.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century was southbound on Highway 29 when her 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with worker Maceo A. Perkins, 41, of Pensacola and an unoccupied Dodge Ram truck that was off the roadway.
Odom was trapped in her vehicle and was extricated by firefighters before being airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with serious injuries. Perkins was pronounced deceased at the scene.
All charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.
Perkins reportedly worked for Broadspectrum, a contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT was unable to provide information late Friday afternoon on the nature of the work being performed.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
