Accused of local burglaries, thefts
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A man wanted by three area agencies and believed by Atmore police to be responsible for several burglaries and thefts from local residences in early September, is finally behind bars.
Mario Dewayne Mendez, who eluded authorities for more than two weeks, surrendered Saturday, September 27, to Bay Minette police, one of the three law enforcement agencies with warrants against him.
“Mario Mendez, age 46, turned himself in to the Bay Minette Police Department,” reads a release from Atmore Police Department Sgt. Darrell McMann. “Mendez had outstanding arrest warrants with the Bay Minette Police Department, Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office.”
Mendez, who lists “homeless” as his address, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on BMPD charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, attempting to elude a police officer, third-degree criminal trespass and third-degree criminal mischief.
He remained in the neighboring county’s jail, without bond, late Monday afternoon, October 2. Jail records show that both Atmore police and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office have placed holds on him.
Local police have charged him with two counts each of third-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property, as well as one count each of first-degree theft of property, third-degree theft of property, fourth-degree theft of property and second-degree criminal mischief.
Those charges are related to a series of burglaries and thefts that occurred here September 11 and 12. Various security cameras caught Mendez taking a pistol, a rifle and several other items from at least two locations.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said he believed the burglary-theft suspect surrendered because he “got hungry and got tired of running.”
The Florida charges against Mendez stem from a September 5 burglary on Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill, where a golf cart, tools and camera accessories were among the items stolen.