Authorities Searching For Escaped Prisoner
December 28, 2012
Authorities are looking for a man that escaped from work release Thursday night.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 48-year old Charles Bernard Debose was transported to the Escambia County Work Release Facility at 1211 West Fairfield Drive about 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Authorities were attempting to handcuff Debose and escort him into the back of the facility when he fled on foot.
After a lengthy manhunt, deputies were unable to locate Debose. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and black pants. He is described as being 5-foot 7-inches tall and 145 pounds.
Debose had been arrested for larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Debose is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
One Month Later: No Arrests In Pen Air Robbery
December 28, 2012
The search is continuing for a suspect one month after the robbery of the Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century.
The credit union on North Century Boulevard was robbed about 1 p.m. on November 27 by a man demanding all of the money while claiming to have a gun. As of Thursday, no arrests have been reported in connection with the robbery.
The male suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. He was described as a thin white male with wearing a hooded jacket and sunglasses. There were no injuries. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office quickly surrounded the bank with multiple units as they searched for the suspect. K-9 teams were seen searching around the bank, including an area behind the U.S. Post Office next door.
After the robbery, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has released photos from a car wash in West Pensacola showing persons wanted for questioning in connection with the robbery. Photos were also released by the Sheriff’s Office of a shopper at CVS in Century, but deputies later determined the Century man in the photos was not connected with the Pen Air holdup.
Deputies also named a Century man as a person of interest in the robbery. He was later arrested in Santa Rosa County on unrelated outstanding warrants, but has not been charged with the Pen Air robbery.
Surveillance photos and video from inside Pen Air, as well as surveillance photos from a West Pensacola car wash are below.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century was robbed by a man claiming to have a gun Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician processes the front door of the credit union for fingerprints. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Crews Working To Restore Power In Arkansas
December 28, 2012
A convoy of Gulf Power Company crews are in Arkansas to assist Entergy Arkansas with restoration efforts following a snowstorm that dropped 6-12 inches of snow and snapped trees and power lines on Christmas Day.
A total of 28 line crew personnel and 15 support personnel headed to the Little Rock area. As of Thursday morning, Arkansas Entergy reported 140,000 customers still without power from a high of 194,000 outages.
“Our crews are experienced in storm restoration and we’re always ready to help out other utilities in times of need,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power corporate communications manager. “And this experience and keeping skills sharp is a great value for our customers — it means faster restoration right here at home.”
This is the fifth storm restoration trip that Gulf Power crews have made in the last six months. A restoration crew spent 17 days restoring power in Philadelphia and New Jersey during November after Hurricane Sandy struck.
“Our crews will arrive in Arkansas…and begin work to restore power,” Rogers said. “They will be focused on getting customers’ power back on as quickly and safely as possible.”
Pictured: Gulf Power crews work to restore power in November following Hurricane Sandy. File photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Man Charged With Attempted Murder
December 28, 2012
A Pensacola man was arrested Thursday and charged with attempted premeditated murder after an investigation determined he was one of a group of males who burglarized a residence December 25, and was shot during a struggle with another male inside the residence.
Mariquse S. Williams, 22 of the 200 block of North K Street was also charged with armed burglary and using/displaying a weapon during a felony, said Pensacola Police Department Captain David Alexander.
The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. Tuesday in the 1300 block of North J Street when a group of three to four males burglarized an occupied residence. During the home invasion, and 18-year-old male got into a physical confrontation with Williams, who fired a gun, striking the other male in the hand and foot.
Police were told one of the other intruders also fired a gun during the affray, and a bullet hit Williams in the stomach. Williams and the other male went to local hospitals for treatment.
A motive for the home invasion/shootings remains under investigation, Alexander said.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Escambia Tax Offices Open On New Year’s Eve
December 28, 2012
All four Escambia County Tax Collector offices will be open regular business hours on New Year’s Eve, according to Tax Collector Janet Holley.
The offices will be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 31, and will be closed on Tuesday, January 1.
Offices are located at:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
- Warrington – 507 N. Navy Boulevard
For more information, call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
2012 In Photos: March
December 28, 2012
Fire heavily damaged an Escambia County school bus near Century. All of the students escaped without injury due to the quick work of the bus driver.
Beloved Northview High School teacher and coach Tommy Weaver passed away in March.
The Florida Special Olympics Torch run began in Century.
NorthEscambia.com took readers inside Century Correctional Institution during a special series in March.
An 18-wheeler driver brakes to avoid hitting a dog and cow in southbound Highway 29 in Molino. A woman was chased the dog, which was being chased by the cow.
A Molino man died in March, about a month after this Highway 97 crash.
Northview High School held their annual Food for America Program in March.
The “Big Foot” monster truck paid a visit to Alto Products in Atmore. Alto manufactures transmission parts for the world famous truck.
The Tate High School Mock Trial Team won a state championship in March.
Spring signaled the beginning of ball for the Miracle League.
Rodney Atkins (above) and Travis Tritt performed at the annual Beulahfest.
Molino Park kindergarten students present E-I-E-I-Oops! during a March PTA program.
Fishermen on Lake Stone in Century in March.
Resurfacing caused delays on Highway 29 from McDavid north to the Alabama state line.
There were no injuries when an ECAT bus hit a horse on Highway 29 near McDavid in early March.
Second Runner-up Lillie Allen, First Runner-up Raegan Harrell, Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Jadlyn Agerton and Third Runner-Up Alexys Smith.
Bill: Young Drivers Should Put Away Phones
December 28, 2012
Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, filed a proposal Thursday that would bar drivers under age 18 from using wireless phones or other communications devices while they are behind the wheel. Minor drivers who are caught texting or talking on the phone would have their licenses suspended for 30 days, according to the proposal (SB 152).
Altman also would take other steps aimed at improving the safety of young drivers, such as placing a new limit on the number of minors who could be in a vehicle at one time. A driver under 18 could not have more than three passengers who are minors unless accompanied by someone over age 21. That restriction would not apply to passengers who are siblings.
No Injuries In Truck Wreck
December 27, 2012
There were no apparent injuries in a single vehicle crash near Bratt Thursday afternoon.
The driver of a refrigerated seafood truck apparently ran off the road, lost control and overturned on North Pine Barren Road just south of Highway 168. The driver had fled the scene before first responders arrived.
The 12:03 p.m. accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Christmas Eve Arson
December 27, 2012
A Cantonment man was arrested after a Christmas Eve manhunt and charged with arson for setting a fire following an argument.
Deputies responded to a reported disturbance in the 500 block of Robinson Street where they found a widow air conditioner burning on the ground below the bedroom of a trailer. The victim told deputies he had been arguing with 65-year old Donnie Ivory Padgett. He said Padgett left the home, and a short time later he could smell smoke and kerosene. The victim said he found his bedroom window smoldering and the A/C unit on fire. Padgett, the victim said, then fled into a wooded area.
A K-9 unit was called to scene to search for Padgett. During the resulting manhunt, Padgett was found lying on his stomach in the woods and taken into custody without incident. Padgett was charged with second degree felony arson and criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $10,500.
While being transported to jail, Padgett told an Escambia deputy that he was going to kill the fire victim with a 9mm pistol or cut his head off, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Christmas Wishes Come True For Carver Community Center
December 27, 2012
Christmas wishes do come true, even when the need is for a community center that serves hundreds of children each year.
The Carver Community Center on Jefferson Street in Century was one of 12 causes in need highlighted by the Florida Department of Children and Families during their statewide “Operation Santa Cause” campaign.
The Center’s needs included internet service (about $100 per month) and at least 15 computers to replace current computers that are old, slow and sometimes non-functioning. After a story was published on NorthEscambia.com, those needs were met.
A man in St. Petersburg has volunteered to cover the internet service for one year, according to DCF. And the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is donating 20 refurbished computers for the children.
Completely funded by donations, the non-profit Carver Community Center provides a safe place for children to go after school and during the summer as the center provides meals for 150 to 200 children daily. The center also offers tutoring services for children year round.
“We work with what we have,” Carver Community Center Association board member Henry Hawkins said. “Where there’s a need in the community, we try to reach out.”
Pictured top: The sun sets recently on the Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century. Pictured inset: One of the classrooms inside the aging building. Pictured below: Carver Community Center Association board member Henry Hawkins tries to demonstrate reading software used by the center to teach children, but the aging computer malfunctioned. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
