Latest news with #OperationAzaleaTrail
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in skid-steer theft, chase booked into jail: Mobile police
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A Mobile man accused of stealing a skid-steer and leading police on a chase in January has been arrested. According to the Mobile Police Department, Joseph Shelby Jones, 36, was arrested Friday and booked into Metro Jail. 18 people arrested on drug and gun charges in 'Operation Azalea Trail': Mobile PD Jones is accused of the following charges: resisting arrest, first-degree theft of property, reckless endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, felony attempt to elude and first-degree attempted assault. Police said Jones stole a skid-steer on Jan. 30 in Tillmans Corner and attempted to hit an officer with it when authorities attempted to initiate a traffic stop. He then took the skid-steer onto Interstate 10 Westbound near Highway 90. Jones allegedly did not stop for officers and began traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-10 before turning around and getting off the interstate at Exit 15B back toward Highway 90. According to MPD, a police vehicle was hit by the skid-steer, which caused 'major damage.' 'It hurts': Theodore Athletic Association board members work to clean up burned press boxes Officers ended the pursuit by engaging the skid-steer driver, now identified as Jones, with gunfire. He was injured and taken to a local hospital. Jones was released from jail on his own recognizance Friday and has court dates set for April and June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New program helps Fairhope police better respond to mental health emergencies
FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Fairhope Police Department is taking a new approach to responding to mental health emergencies. 'We get a lot of those calls, and getting them help has not always been easy,' Fairhope police Lt. Shane Nolte said. 18 people arrested on drug and gun charges in 'Operation Azalea Trail': Mobile PD Police are partnering with AltaPoint Health to help equip patrol officers with 24-hour access to resources to use in these types of situations. On average, the Fairhope Police Department responds to around a dozen mental health related calls every week. 'A lot of our individuals who suffer with a mental illness, a lot of their crimes are misdemeanors, petty crimes, whether it's that they're loitering, whether it's that they're trespassing,' Krista Thronson with AltaPoint Health said. 'The only option that they used to have would be to arrest them.' But now there's another option. Instead of handling it alone, officers can connect with a mental health expert in real time, right from their patrol car. 'It'll make the response time quicker. It'll keep them from being tied up on scene as long,' Nolte said. 'We would rather get them help if they're having a mental health crisis than put them in jail.' When officers need to connect with a mental health care provider, it's as easy as pressing a button. 'When they get out on a situation where they need it, they can hit the home button, and it automatically pops up to the screen that's needed,' Nolte said. 'There's a red button for the officer to press for that patient. There's a blue button that also is for first responders that if they're going through something,' Thronson added. 'Basically, they press that red button, and it immediately calls one of the five of us that are on call, and they're able to speak directly to a clinician right then and there.' The program is already in use, and police said it has the potential to make a real difference, not just for the people they serve but for their own mental health as well. 'We are seeing and the statistics show that more law enforcement officers die by their own gun than in the community,' Thronson said. 'What we are really showing is not only are we there for the community; we're there for them who take care of our community.' Thronson said other departments have partnered with AltaPoint using this program and have seen great results. 'When the iPad is utilized, only about 3% of these calls end up in someone actually being arrested,' she said. 'As someone who does answer the iPad calls, the average call is about 3 to 5 minutes.' WATCH: Orange Beach Police Marine Division on high alert for spring break reckless boaters 'This makes it so much easier for us, quicker for us,' Nolte said. 'When you just have to pick up an iPad, push the home button, and then either select a red or a blue button, I mean, you're talking a matter of minutes versus it could take an hour or more in the past.' The program launched Wednesday with Fairhope police starting with one iPad per shift. Police said they hope to expand the program soon to give more officers access to this vital tool. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
18 people arrested on drug and gun charges in ‘Operation Azalea Trail': Mobile PD
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Mobile Police Department officers arrested 18 people during 'Operation Azalea Trail' — a drug operation in the Azalea Road area. Theodore Athletic Association ballpark press box burned down overnight The operation involved the MPD Narcotics and Vice Unit and Canine Detail, wrapping up on Thursday, March 27. Police said they seized 1,750 grams of marijuana, over 10 grams of cocaine, 370 grams of synthetic marijuana, 17 grams of psilocybin, $6,673 and 10 guns. 10 search warrants were executed, 18 people were arrested and there are still have people wanted. Mobile County sheriff calls for stricter consequences after Semmes man violates parole The people arrested include: Chontaria Thompson — 34 Possession of a controlled substance Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Trafficking opium Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Certain person forbidden to possess a firearm Tremain Barnett — 45 Possession of controlled substance Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana 3x unlawful distribution of a controlled substance Unlawful possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Quentin Murphy — 26 Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Michael Webb — 40 First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana possession of controlled substance Eric Bell — 24 Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Javonte McMillian — 27 First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana 4x third-degree domestic violence (warrants) Switched tag (warrant) Improper lights (warrant) Tarvourious Jackson — 60 First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Possession of a controlled substance Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Failure to obey Resisting arrest Frederick Harris — 45 Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Bryana Dickinson — 24 Possession of a controlled substance Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Loitering for the purpose of drug activity Keith Washington — 53 First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Possession of a controlled substance Certain person forbidden to possess a firearm Illegal possession of prescription drugs Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Devin Johnson — 30 Possession of controlled substance Trafficking marijuana Certain person forbidden to possess a firearm Probation revocation (warrant) 2x second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana DUI-controlled substance (warrant) Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Taylor Davis — 23 Illegal possession of prescription drugs Marlin Pettway, Jr. — 29 Possession of a controlled substance First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Trafficking fentaul Possession of controlled substance (warrant) First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana (warrant) Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia (warrant) Caleb Dunn — 29 Possession of a controlled substance Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Devan Sanders — 32 First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Trafficking synthetic marijuana Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Certain person forbidden to possess a firearm Jessica McCants — 37 Trafficking synthetic marijuana Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Michael Davenport — 46 First-degree unlawful possession of marijuana Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia 'Juvenile Suspect' Menacing Juvenile in possession of a firearm Police are still searching for: Kendall Smith Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance Ryan Nobles 3x unlawful distribution of a controlled substance Terrance Palmore Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance Attempt to distribute drugs Fourth-degree theft or property Christian Williams 3x unlawful distribution of a controlled substance Ronald Byrd UPDATE: 2 arrested in early morning Prichard homicide Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
