Unknown subject steals from Golden Pantry
On Jan. 8, law enforcement contacted the store manager at Golden Pantry, on 204 E. Hancock St., in reference to a possible shoplifting. A subject was seen on surveillance video inside the establishment concealing multiple food items in his jacket in the rear of the establishment. Due to poor surveillance video, the manager was unable to account for which items the male subject placed into his jacket. The male subject was also seen on surveillance taking a pack of cigarettes from behind the cashier counter. The total amount of items accounted for was $7.27. Due to not being able to properly identify the male subject, no charges were filed.
Man shoplifts $115 from Walmart
On Jan. 8, law enforcement was contacted by the Asset Protection at Walmart, at 2592 N. Columbia St., in reference to shoplifting. A male, later identified as Edward Hill, left the location with a TV which he did not pay for. Security camera footage showed Hill inside the store and concealing merchandise in bags. Hill then approached a cash register and grabbed a Coca-Cola and paid for the drink but not the items he concealed in the bag. Hill passed the final point of sale with the unpaid merchandise when the manager confronted him and took him to the Asset Protection office, where he admitted to taking merchandise. The total amount of items stolen was valued at $115.95. Hill was given a citation for shoplifting.
Unknown man drives off without paying for gas
On Jan. 9, law enforcement was dispatched to the Jet Food Stores, at 1740 N. Columbia St., in reference to a gas drive off. An employee advised a male came inside with a business debit card and told her to open the pump for him to fill up. The employee advised she did so, and the male left the card there which was a business debit card for Whiz Trucking LL. About $50 of gas was put into the vehicle, which was not paid for. Law enforcement searched the FLOCK Safety system but was unable to find any vehicles matching the video.
Fight leads to discovery of drugs
On Jan. 11, law enforcement was dispatched to the Budget Inn in reference to a fight. Two males were fighting in the parking lot. Jamel Jackson was on top of Shaquille Parks and holding him down when police arrived. According to the report, they appeared to be tangled in a shirt. Upon becoming untangled, Parks took off running and an officer chased him and tackled him to the ground in a flower bed on East Hancock Street. Parks was handcuffed and taken to be observed by Emergency Medical Services. While attempting to speak and evaluate Parks for injuries, Jackson informed another officer that he and Parks began arguing and Parks struck him with a bottle. Jackson stated after being struck, he attempted to grab Parks to calm him down and Parks bit his hand, which is when they began to struggle. Parks refused to go into detail about the fight.
While investigating, officers discovered a jacket containing a large amount of suspected methamphetamine lying where the two subjects were found.
Jackson stated the jacket belonged to Parks and video footage confirmed Parks was wearing it before it came off.
In addition, officers observed blood in the doorway of room 103 and found a broken bottle laying on the ground.
Also, on the ground was what appeared to be an empty corner bag. The contents of the bag were a large bag of suspected methamphetamine, several small bags of methamphetamine, and a bag of marijuana.
Both Jackson and Parks were taken to the hospital for further evaluation for their injuries. After being cleared by the hospital, both Jackson and Parks were arrested and transported to the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center without incident. Parks was charged with battery, willful obstruction of officers, and trafficking methamphetamine.
Jackson was charged with battery.
Fighting breaks out at house party
On Jan. 13, law enforcement was dispatched to the area of Lakeside Drive and Pine Valley Road in reference to a fight. The complainant stated he invited a handful of his friends to his house to have a party. An attendee, identified as Stephen Langwell, got too intoxicated and attempted to fight another attendee. The complainant intervened and advised him to “calm down,” and Langwell reportedly punched him multiple times in the face. The complainant stated they bit Langwell’s finger in an attempt to get free and punched Langwell in the face to make him let go of his finger. Langwell remained persistent in wanting to fight after they were off of each other and reportedly pushed a female out of the way as he ran away from the residence.
Multiple witnesses confirmed the same series of events. Law enforcement was called back to the residence when Langwell returned. Langwell was then taken into custody, transported to Baldwin Sheriff’s Office, and charged with battery.
Unknown trio steals from Bath and Body Works
On Jan. 15, law enforcement was dispatched to Bath and Body Works, at 1962 N. Columbia St., in reference to shoplifting. An employee stated three subjects stole items from the store. Two females and a male filled a black purse, a large black bag, and a shopping tote with products. The subjects reportedly entered at different times but as they filled bags they were reportedly communicating about products. This was not the first time the subjects have been in the store. As of The Baldwin Bulletin’s deadline, there was no further information.