Houston County Sheriffs busted a diesel fuel theft ring in which suspects stole gas from multiple Wiregrass locations to smuggle back to Georgia.
The suspects are accused of diesel thefts in Dothan, Headland and Eufaula, totaling over 3,000 gallons stolen valuing over $13,000.
Sheriff Donald Valenza said the scheme was more sophisticated than in times past: he said suspects used devices which allowed them to pump gas into large-capacity fuel tanks without paying. Two vehicles and a U-Haul trailer were used to move the fuel.
“They basically pumped out what they wanted (and) what they could hold,” he said.
He said investigators discovered the fuel was being taken to a location outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
The thefts were discovered when fuel audits for the affected fuel stations came out, revealing the amount of money collected didn’t match up with the amount of diesel pumped. Discrepancies were found at three Wiregrass gas stations, leading to an investigation.
The suspects returned to Dothan this past weekend intending to steal more; but Houston County Sheriffs were waiting for them.
One of the vehicles fled, but the suspects were later apprehended.
It’s unclear how long the scheme has been happening, but Valenza said more victims are likely to be discovered.
It’s possible the suspects will be extradited after Georgia law enforcement investigates — but Valenza said they’ll be staying in Houston County until that happens.
The suspects include:
Tamari Gooden, 26, Dacula, GA: Theft of property – no bond
Shawauna Gooden, 26, Dacula, GA: Theft of property – no bond
Jerek Davis, 27, Rex, GA:Theft of property, receiving stolen property – no bond
Marlin Rucker, 26, Atlanta, GA: Theft of property – no bond
Roderick Pearson, 22, Stonecrest, GA: Possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana – $13,500 bond
Florrane James, 30, Baltimore, MD: Fugitive from justice – no bond
Charged with a brutal murder and a violent sexual assault in Washington County, David Earl Gipson was denied bond at his first appearance before a judge Wednesday.
A passerby Monday found a woman severely beaten on the side of the road in Washington County, who later told authorities Gipson had gone to her home and attacked her and her mother-in-law.
The victim said he bound and gagged her and brought her to his home, where he beat her, sexually assaulted her, and then put her in a container in his yard. The victim managed to escape.
Investigators later found the victim’s 74-year-old mother-in-law dead, beaten to death.
A multi-agency manhunt later brought Gipson into custody in a wooded area.
Gipson faces charges of murder, sexual battery, aggravated battery with a weapon and false imprisonment.
He had a long criminal history before these charges; among his 33 felonies include charges like arson and burglary.
ASHFORD – COWARTS – DOTHAN: This article is posted while sitting in front of the Alabama State House in Montgomery.
Before 6 AM Houston County 911 dispatched Ashford Rescue, Ashford Fire, Ashford Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies to a wreck with injuries, Highway 84 and County Road 55. The accident involved a dump truck and another vehicle. There was heavy damage with minor injuries. Ashford Police Officer Larry Flowers investigated.
COWARTS: 07:45 AM. Houston County 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident with injuries, Hwy. 84 and Broadway in Cowarts. The accident was in front of Ronnie’s Men’s and Boy’s.
Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle was the first officer on the scene. Reports were four cars involved.
The injuries were not reported as serious.
ALEA – Troopers are in charge of the investigation. Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Cowarts Volunteer Fire, Ashford Rescue responded.
DOTHAN: 07:50 AM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire, Dothan Police and Pilcher Ambulance to a wreck with injuries, Ross Clark Circle and Denton Road. Reports are minor injuries. Dothan Police is in charge of the accident investigation.
Imagine driving in downtown Dothan and seeing a man holding what looks to be an RPG.
Several people called out Dothan Police to respond to a man walking around holding what looked to be a rocket propelled grenade launcher but was actually a fake.
Keyun Marquez Hill, 26, from Cowarts, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Hoax Destructive Device and booked into the Dothan City Jail. The hoax device was seized and placed into evidence.
Hill described himself as a social media prankster filming content.
“Entertainment takes many forms, however behavior such as this that alarms numerous people and can cause panic in a public space cannot be tolerated,” said Dothan Police. “We urge social media content creators to use common sense when practicing their craft.”
Reports of guns stolen from the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office led county commissioners to call for a broad and external investigation of the sheriff’s office.
Commissioners unanimously authorized the external investigation, which could include among others the State Bureau of Investigation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Department of Examiners and the Alabama Ethics Commission.
Commissioner Weston Spivey called what he’s seen from the sheriff’s office “disturbing.”
Spivey alleged Sheriff Tony Helms’ relative Cody Johnson stole property from Helms — property which included multiple weapons, which were not held at the Sheriff’s Office, but instead at a a personal property of Helms.
Spivey also questioned why sheriff’s office vehicles were seen in other places and possibly not being used for emergencies.
Commissioner Jeff Hatcher further questioned why Helms hired former Samson police chief Jimmy Hill, who allegedly left the department for mishandling weapons.
Johnson’s arrest is still under investigation.
Sheriff Tony Helms said the investigation was not needed, as an active investigation is already underway from the state.
He said the State Bureau of Investigation was aware of why guns were stored outside of the Sheriff’s Office. He also said the guns and other equipment taken were not evidence, some of the stolen items including his person property. He said the guns stolen were there several years due to a lack of storage resources provided to the Sheriff’s Office.
Helms said the party responsible was in jail and was being held accountable.
“I hate it, I really do,” he said. “I didn’t steal. The person behind it is in jail.”
