Shanna Johnson

Thomas Lord

             What began as a shoplifting incident ended with two people being arrested on multiple charges after a methamphetamine lab was found in the back of their truck.

            Thomas Lord, 48, and Shanna Johnson, 32, both of Biloxi, MS were arrested Thursday. Each was charged with one count trafficking in methamphetamine, three counts possession of a listed chemical, and one count each of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, and shoplifting.

            Sgt. Marvin Miller, who supervises the department’s Vice & Narcotics Unit, said the trafficking in methamphetamine charge carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 25 years plus a $500,000 fine.

            The incident occurred around 11:55 a.m. at Wal-Mart, 2650 Creighton Road.

            Lt. Chuck Mallett was finishing an extra-duty job at the store and was following the suspects by vehicle after they took some spark plugs and a drill from the store without paying for them. Officer Patrick Burns responded to the area and the suspects’ truck was stopped north of Creighton Road.

            While searching the truck for the stolen drill and spark plugs, the ingredients and equipment for making methamphetamine were discovered in the truck bed. Approximately 13 ounces of a liquid containing methamphetamine were found in the truck, Miller said.

            In addition to the ingredients and equipment, methamphetamine was actively reacting in the truck in two bottles, which had the potential to have exploded if left unattended because of the pressure build-up inside the bottles, Miller said.

            An undisclosed amount of money was taken from a Pensacola business this afternoon after a man pointed a gun at a store employee and demanded money.

            The incident occurred just after 1:30 p.m. at the Dollar General, 2601 W. Cervantes St.

            A 19-year-old female employee told police the man entered the store, walked around and acted as if he was talking on his phone. She said he also approached the check out line and let other people ahead of him until there was no one else in line.

            At that point, the man approached the register, handed her a bag and pulled up his shirt. He then pointed a gun at her and demanded money. The store employee complied, and the man fled the scene in a white 4-door SUV.

            The armed robber was a white male wearing black pants, a black shirt and a black ball cap.

            Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900.

             The Pensacola Police Department has released photographs of a suspect and a vehicle involved in an armed robbery of a local business Tuesday afternoon.

            The incident occurred just after 1:30 p.m. at the Dollar General, 2601 W. Cervantes St.

            A 19-year-old female employee told police the man entered the store, walked around and acted as if he was talking on his phone. She said he also approached the check out line and let other people ahead of him until there was no one else in line.

            At that point, the man approached the register, handed her a bag and pulled up his shirt. He then pointed a gun at her and demanded money. The store employee complied, and the man fled the scene in a white 4-door SUV.

            The armed robber was a white male wearing black pants, a black shirt and a black ball cap.

            Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900.

Armed robbery suspect

Armed robbery suspect

Suspect vehicle

Suspect vehicle

Similar vehicle

WANTED PERSON

Name: Christopher Clark McWilliams

D.O.B.: 8/31/88

Race/Sex: White/Male

Hair/Eyes: Red (Bald)/Green

Ht./Wt.: 5’8”; 150 lbs.

LKA:  9415 S. Loop Rd.

WARRANT: 

ROBBERY (ROBBERY W/ FIREARM) (1 CT)

LARCENY (GRAND THEFT 300 LESS THAN 5K DOLS) (1 CT)

Eric Crist

            A Pace resident was arrested Thursday afternoon after an investigation determined he drove to Pensacola under the pretense of having pre-arranged sex with a 13-year-old female.

            Eric Crist, 23, of 4626 Live Oak Lane was charged with traveling to meet a minor and using a 2-way communication device to facilitate the felony.

            Detective Jeff Brown began investigating Crist on July 23 after reading an advertisement Crist had placed on the internet seeking a female sex partner. In the ad, Crist said that age, size and race were unimportant.

            Brown then contacted Crist via email and asked if he would be interested in having sex with his 13-year-old “daughter.” After several communications between them, Crist said he wanted to have sex with the juvenile.

            Brown and Crist arranged a meeting for August 1. Crist was taken into custody without resistance at the scene.

            The investigation is continuing, Brown said.

            Members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted the Pensacola Police Department with the investigation.        

Christopher McWilliams

A man wanted in connection with the armed robbery of a local business earlier this week been arrested.

            Christopher Clark McWilliams, 24, of Pensacola was arrested this afternoon. He was charged with armed robbery and grand theft.

            McWilliams was taken into custody at a residence on 50^th Avenue in Myrtle Grove by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies after the sheriff’s department received a tip on his location.

            McWilliams was wanted for the armed robbery that occurred just after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday of Dollar General, 2601 W. Cervantes St. A 19-year-old female employee told police the suspect entered the store, walked around and acted as if he was talking on his phone. She said he also approached the check out line and let other people ahead of him until there was no one else in line.

            At that point, the suspect approached the register, handed her a bag and pulled up his shirt. He then pointed a gun at her and demanded money. The store employee complied, and the suspect fled the scene in a white 4-door SUV.

     Food, games and entertainment are on tap for the 30^th annual National Night Out Tuesday (Aug. 6).

     The nationwide event is designed to bring awareness to crime and drug prevention, plus generate support for and participation in area anti-crime efforts. It also is designed to strengthen community and police partnerships.

     The local event is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Magee Field, 2500 MLK Blvd. In addition to various activities, Target will provide school supplies to students while supplies last.

     The event is co-sponsored by the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Florida Prevention Coalition.

WANTED PERSON

Name: Kurtlin Lashawn Knotts

D.O.B.: 8/1/93

Race/Sex: Black/Male

Hair/Eyes: Black/Brown

Ht./Wt.: 5’10”/151 lbs.

LKA:  2074 Massachusetts Ave.

Kurtlin Knotts

    Warrants have been issued for a Pensacola man wanted in connection with recent vehicle burglaries.

            Kurtlin Lashawn Knotts, 20, whose last known address was 2074 Massachusetts Ave., Pensacola, is wanted on 11 warrants for vehicle burglary, grand theft, fraudulent use of credit cards, and petit thefts.

            Knotts is believed to have been involved in a number of vehicle burglaries that occurred since May 18. He is believed to have been involved in seven vehicle burglaries that occurred this past weekend in the CordovaPark area, said Sgt. Kristin Brown.

            Brown said all of the vehicles burglarized this past weekend had been left unlocked. One of the vehicles was stolen after the burglar found the ignition key left on the floorboard. Among items stolen from vehicles were credit cards and electronic items.

            At least one other person is believed to have participated in the burglaries with Knotts, Brown said.

            Anyone having information on his location is asked to contact Sgt. Kristin Brown at 435 – 1911, Detective Dylan Stackpole at 435 – 1974 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900.

             A Pensacola man was arrested this morning on child pornography charges after investigators determined he downloaded sexually explicit pictures and movies of children from the internet onto his computer.

            Dylan James Lucius, 19, of 1872 Loyola St. was charged with 22 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession child pornography with intent to distribute.        Lucius was booked into the Escambia County Jail around 1 p.m. on a $47,000 bond, said Detective Jeff Brown.

            Agents with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated a search warrant at Lucius’ residence on August 8 after he was identified via the internet as downloading child pornography.

            Additional charges are pending, and the investigation is continuing to determine if he transmitted files and/or downloaded additional child pornography, Brown said.

            Task force members from the Office of Homeland Security assisted the Pensacola Police Department with this investigation.

Kurtlin Knotts

A man wanted in connection with recent vehicle burglaries has been arrested.

            Kurtlin Lashawn Knotts, 20, whose last known address was 2074 Massachusetts Ave., Pensacola, was arrested Thursday night on 11 warrants for vehicle burglary, grand theft, fraudulent use of credit cards, and petit thefts.

            Pensacola Police took Knotts into custody after receiving a tip that he was at PensacolaVillage, 500 E. Fairfield Dr.

            Knotts is believed to have been involved in a number of vehicle burglaries that occurred since May 18. He is believed to have been involved in seven vehicle burglaries that occurred this past weekend in the CordovaPark area, said Sgt. Kristin Brown.

            Brown said all of the vehicles burglarized this past weekend had been left unlocked. One of the vehicles was stolen after the burglar found the ignition key left on the floorboard. Among items stolen from vehicles were credit cards and electronic items.

            Five more warrants for vehicle burglary and petit theft were issued for Knotts this afternoon.

Traylonte Goram

Warrants have been issued for a second male believed to have committed vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts in the CordovaPark area last weekend.

    Six warrants were issued this afternoon for Traylonte Goram, 19, last known address of 119 W. Highland Dr., Pensacola, charging him with vehicle thefts, vehicle burglaries, petit thefts, and fraudulent use of credit cards.

     He is believed to have committed the burglaries with Kurtlin Knotts, 20, whose last known address was 2074 Massachusetts Ave., Pensacola. Knotts was arrested Thursday night on 11 outstanding warrants for vehicle burglary, grand theft, fraudulent use of credit cards, and petit thefts.

   Five more warrants for vehicle burglary and petit theft were issued for Knotts this afternoon.

  The investigation uncovered evidence linking both men to the vehicle burglaries and thefts.

   Anyone having information on Goram’s location is asked to contact Sgt. Kristin Brown at 435 – 1911, Detective Cliff Lyster at 435 – 1970 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900.

WANTED PERSON

Traylonte Demetrice Goram

D.O.B.: 1/25/94

Race/Sex: Black/Male

Hair/Eyes: Black/Brown

Ht./Wt.: 5’7”/145 lbs.

LKA:  119 W. Highland Dr.

              Crime statistics for the first half of 2013 are in, and show reductions in violent and non-violent within the City of Pensacola.

            “These numbers are indicative of the hard work of the men and women of the Pensacola Police Department,” said Chief Chip W. Simmons.

            “Mayor (Ashton) Hayward and I consider public safety a top priority, and we continue to work toward making Pensacola a safer place in which to live, work and play. These numbers continue to reflect that commitment,” Simmons said.

            The semi-annual Uniform Crime Report for January through June was submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Among highlights for the first six months of 2013 compared with 2012 are:

• A reduction in violent crime by 11%.
• A reduction in non-violent crime by 14%.
• A reduction in residential burglaries by 40%.
• A reduction in homicides by 75%.

            During the first six months of 2012, there were 217 violent crimes compared with 193 during the same time period in 2013. Also, the number of non-violent crimes was 1,599 in 2012 and 1,368 in 2013; residential burglaries totaled 297 in 2012 and 178 in 2013; and homicides numbered four in 2012 and one in 2013 for the first six months.

            Simmons credited the Gun Crime Response Team, which is a collaborative effort of local and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as concentrated patrols in known problem areas for the reductions in crime.

WANTED PERSON

ARRESTED

Rufus Cordero Smith

A.K.A.:  John Smith (3/6/88), Rufus Corderyl Smith

D.O.B.: 3/6/90

Race/Sex: Black/Male

Ht/Wt: 6’2”/206 lbs.

L.K.A.: 2800 N. 9^th Ave., Apt. 14B

Smith has an active warrant for Possess of Weapon (Or Ammo by Convicted FLA Felon).  He is wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred during October 2012 in the 200 block of East Cross Street in Pensacola. 

People are encouraged to use caution around Smith as he could be armed.

 Anyone having information on the subject’s location is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900 or via Facebook. Tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP, or you can also text Crime Stoppers by typing the tip in the body of the text after entering 274637 (CRIMES).

            A death investigation is underway after a teen-aged male collapsed Thursday night while jogging.

            Nicholas Cooke, 16, of Pensacola, was found lying in the intersection of Osceola Boulevard and Whaley Avenue around 8 p.m. Thursday.

            Lt. Chuck Mallett said there are no indications of foul play, and an autopsy will be done to determine cause of death.

            Cooke was jogging at the time of the incident. Several people stopped and began CPR after he was found in the street. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased just before 9 p.m.

            Cooke, who did not have identification with him, was identified after his mother contacted police and reported him missing.

           The Pensacola Police Department continues working with area law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues into the disappearance of Tiffany Daniels.

            Daniels, 25, was last seen Aug. 12 when she left her job early. Daniels is a theater department technician at Pensacola State College.

            Her vehicle was found Tuesday in a parking lot of Park West on PensacolaBeach. Her bicycle and phone were with the vehicle.

            “We are processing the vehicle for information on where she may be and what may have happened to her,” said Chief Chip W. Simmons. “At this point, we have nothing indicating foul play, but we also don’t know what happened. So, we are following any and all leads.”

            Simmons, Capt. David Alexander and Detective Danny Harnett met with family members this afternoon to discuss Daniels’ disappearance.

            “At this point, we are all focused on locating Tiffany,” Simmons said.

            An extensive search was conducted Wednesday in the FortPickens area on PensacolaBeach. The search centered around the location where Daniels’ car was found.

            “We continue following up on leads, and ask for public assistance with any information they may have,” Simmons said.

            Daniels is 5 feet 7 with blond hair and blue eyes. She has tattoos of plants growing from seeds on the top of both feet.

            Anyone who may have information on Daniels’ location, or her activities before, during and after her disappearance are asked to contact Detective Danny Harnett at 435 – 1979 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900.

Tiffany Daniels

Tiffany Daniels’ tattoos

           Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death for a teen-aged male who collapsed while jogging Thursday night may have been related to a medical condition.

            Nicholas Cooke, 16, of Pensacola, was found lying in the intersection of Osceola Boulevard and Whaley Avenue around 8 p.m. Thursday.

            Lt. Chuck Mallett said there are no indications of foul play.

            Cooke was jogging at the time of the incident. Several people stopped and began CPR after he was found in the street. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased just before 9 p.m.

            Cooke, who did not have identification with him, was identified after his mother contacted police and reported him missing.

Dominic Davis

             A Pensacola man was arrested this morning and charged with a burglary of an elementary school that occurred in May. 

            Dominic Schcur Davis, 19, of 4850 Ward Blvd., Pensacola, was charged with burglary, criminal mischief of $1,000 or more, and grand theft.

            The incident was discovered around 6 a.m. May 14 at ScenicHeightsElementary School, 3801 Cherry Laurel Dr. Four buildings on school property had been burglarized. Some of the rooms had been vandalized and various items destroyed.

            Approximately $21,000 worth of electronic equipment, which included numerous computers and IPads, had been stolen. Estimated property damage to the school was approximately $5,000.

            Evidence found at the scenes throughout the school helped identify Davis as the suspect.

Kamarccus Webster

A warrant has been issued for a man suspected of shooting two people Tuesday night during a disturbance.

Kamarccus Lajil Webster, 21, of 1300 W. Cervantes St., Pensacola, is wanted for two counts of aggravated battery, three counts of aggravated assault with a weapon and one count possession of a firearm.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. between C and Strong and D and Strong streets.

Detective Erik Goss said two males were shot after a fight involving Webster occurred after a basketball game. Both males were struck in the shoulders by bullets; neither injury was considered life-threatening.

One of the males was sitting in his vehicle when he was shot; the other was struck by a bullet while he was running away.

Goss said Webster began shooting into a crowd that included approximately 20 people. Witnesses told police they heard 10 or more shots fired. A motive for the shootings remains under investigation.

Anyone having information on Webster’s location is asked to contact Detective Erik Goss at 435 – 1987 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900.