Chase leads to recovery of stolen weapons, several ounces of pot
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
The following felony arrests were reported by officers of the Atmore Police Department (APD) during the period March 14-23:
Mar’Kavion Dixon
Eric Reed
On March 14, at approximately 10:55 a.m., an Atmore police officer was dispatched to Spudd’s at 1771 Highway 21 in reference to a traffic accident.
The reporting party informed the dispatcher the vehicle that struck his vehicle left the scene and was last seen heading east on East Sunset Drive. The vehicle was described as a red Ford Mustang and a description was provided as to where the vehicle was damaged.
The responding officer observed the vehicle southbound on Martin Luther King Drive. The officer conducted a traffic stop on Medical Park Drive and Church Street.
The vehicle fled when the officer began walking to the vehicle, accelerating to a high rate of speed as the driver, later identified as Eric Reed, age 21, of Daphne, reached speeds of over 80 mph on Church Street.
The on-duty shift sergeant instructed the officer not to pursue the vehicle due to the time of day and the danger posed to the public.
A short time later a citizen reported that a residence at the corner of Church Street and Carney Street had been struck by a red vehicle and observed people running from the vehicle. An officer observed two people running in the area and set a perimeter; one of them was carrying a black bag.
Officers were eventually able to locate the suspects who called a third subject to pick them up. That vehicle, driven by Mar’Kavion Dixon, age 18, of Atmore was stopped by officers as it was leaving the area of the perimeter.
During a search of both vehicles and the black bag that Reed had in his possession, the officers discovered a stolen firearm from Meridian, Miss., several hundred grams of marijuana in multiple locations, an edible cannabis gummy bear, and items used to package narcotics.
Reed was charged with attempting to elude a police officer, first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, first-degree criminal mischief, causing the delinquency of a minor, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dixon was charged with second-degree receiving stolen property and second-degree hindering prosecution. A third subject in the vehicle was a juvenile who will be charged through juvenile court.
Dennis Mathis
On March 23, at approximately 3:15 a.m., an Atmore Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on Cowpen Creek Road in reference to a vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel.
The officer contacted the driver, who was later identified as Dennis Mathis age 27, of Century, Fla. During the interaction with Mathis the officer noted signs of impairment and requested he perform field sobriety tests.
Mathis was unable to perform the tests and was placed under arrest for DUI.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a small amount of marijuana and items used to ingest narcotics.
Mathis was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of
drug paraphernalia, and violation of open container statutes.
Rebel Howard
On March 18, at approximately 7:15 p.m., an APD officer conducted a traffic stop on South Presley Street in reference to the vehicle displaying a license plate that was registered to a different vehicle which also was registered to the driver who was later identified as Rebel Howard, age 53, of McDavid, Fla.
A K9 Officer arrived on the scene and deployed the K9 which alerted on the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle the officers discovered prescription medication that was not prescribed to Howard [Xanax], a small amount of marijuana, and items used to package narcotics.
Howard was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of prescription drugs.
No mugshot was available.
Travis Snow
On March 22, at approximately 12:25 p.m., an APD officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 21 in reference to the driver failing to use the turn signal and improper equipment.
The officer contacted the driver, who was later identified as Travis Snow age 34, of Coffeeville. During the officer’s interaction with Snow, he noted suspicious behavior and an open bottle of alcohol.
The officer was granted consent to search the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle the officer discovered a small amount of a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine and items used to ingest narcotics.
Snow was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of open container statutes.
Kyle Coleman
On March 21, at approximately 2:20 p.m., officers responded to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting complaint. The suspect was detained by Walmart Loss Prevention officers and was transported to the Atmore Municipal Jail.
While processing the suspect, the officer discovered he was in possession of a THC vape pen, and he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree theft of property.
While the subject was being processed at the detention center, the corrections officer discovered that the subject — later identified as Kyle Coleman, age 34 of Jay, Fla., after having initially provided a false name — was also charged with giving false identification to a law enforcement officer.
Kristi Spears
On March 20, at approximately 3 p.m., officers responded to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting complaint. The suspects had been detained by Walmart Loss Prevention officers.
During the interaction with the suspects, the officers discovered the suspects had a vehicle waiting in the parking lot. The vehicle was located and consent to search was granted to the officers.
During a search of the vehicle, the officers discovered a small amount of a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, and items that are used to ingest narcotics.
Kristi Spears, 54, of Milton Fla., was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled
substance, second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fourth-degree theft of property.
Sydni Weatherholtz
On March 17, at approximately 6:30 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 31 in reference to an equipment violation.
During the interaction with the driver and the passenger, the officer noted suspicious behavior. A K9 officer arrived and alerted on the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle the officers discovered a small amount of a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine and items used to ingest narcotics.
The passenger, Sydni Weatherholtz, age 31, of Pensacola, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a drug paraphernalia.
Justin Vede
On March 15, at approximately 3:55 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 21 in reference to the driver, later identified as Justin Vede, age 42, of Atmore, for failing to wear his seat belt.
While checking Knight’s driver license status, the officer discovered Vede did not have a license. During the interaction with Vede, the officer noted suspicious behavior and requested consent to search the vehicle.
The search led to the discovery of several dozen grams of Kratom, items used to package narcotics, and an open container of alcohol.
Vede was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of open container statutes.
Melvin Knight
On March 14, at approximately 6:25 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 21 in reference to the driver, later identified as Melvin Knight, age 65, of Atmore, failing to use a turn signal.
While checking Knight’s driver license status the officer discovered Knight’s license was revoked. When the officer began speaking with Knight about the revocation, he observed a crack pipe in Knight’s lap, in plain view.
The residue in the pipe was field-tested and was positive for crack cocaine. Knight was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kayla Powers
On March 24, at approximately 8 a.m., Kayla Powers, age 37, of Atmore, accompanied a friend to the Atmore Police Department in reference to a complaint when the officer became aware that Powers was wanted by the New Orleans Police Department in reference to an outstanding arrest warrant for felony domestic assault.
Powers was arrested and charged as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting extradition to New Orleans.