2-12-16 News

2-12-16

Oxford drug warning

Oxford police are warning convenience stores in their area about a dangerous synthetic drug called “kratom” that they say is being used by teens and drug users.  Kratom is a tree related to coffee and grown in parts of Southeast Asia, and officials say it has an addictive property to it, one that imitates an opiate. Kratom is an ingredient in some energy drinks.  Last November, Talladega County officials issued a warning about it after parents said energy drinks with kratom as an ingredient was causing their children to get high.  Oxford police said the product falls within Alabama’s criminal code, and they are serving a notice about the drug to convenience stores.   The notice states that Oxford retail stores are ordered to remove any products that have mitragyne speciosa korth, known as kratom. It also goes by the street names of “thang,” “kakuam,” “thom,” “ketum,” and “biak.”  The notice also orders stores to remove any incense that is labeled “not for human consumption." The stores have 24 hours to remove the products from their shelves.   Chief Bill Partridge said if store owners are found still selling products with kratom after the notice goes out, they will be arrested on a felony charge.

2-12-16

Anniston drug bust

A 25-year-old Anniston man was arrested on Wednesday on heroin charges.  The 7th Judicial Major Crimes Unit arrested Tijuan Deldre Moore at the Knight’s Inn at 6220 McClellan Blvd. He faces attempted unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. He also faces the same charge for a separate incident.  Authorities say they found Moore with 10 dosage units of heroin at the time of his arrest.  An ongoing investigation into heroin distribution in Anniston led to Moore’s arrest.  Investigators say six deaths in the area were attributed to heroin overdoses in 2015.

2-12-16

Authorities seeking suspect in camper theft

The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man suspected of stealing a camper trailer from a property in Attalla.

The 32-foot camper also had two floor buffing machines and two floor stripping machines for businesses inside. The theft happened on Tuesday, Feb. 9 around 12:15 p.m. at a property on Benefield Drive in Attalla.

Security cameras caught images of the suspect, a white male, driving a white flatbed truck. 

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity is asked to call Etowah County Sheriff’s investigator Tara Bates at 256-546-2825.

2-12-16

Woman charged with counterfeit check

A24 year old Attalla woman is behind bars after allegedly passing a counterfeit check while purchasing a $500 vehicle.  Courtney Ann Bell, is charged with one felony  count of third-degree possession of a forged instrument.  The victim told authorities the check was refused by the bank after they attempted to deposit it.  Bell is being held at the Etowah County Detention Center on a $1,500 bond.

2-12-16

Man arrested in truck theft

The Etowah County Sheriff's Office has arrested and charged a 58 year old Gadsden man in connection to a vehicle theft.  Barry Keith Drenner,  is charged with one count of first degree theft of property and one count of third degree theft of property.  Authorities say Drenner stole a truck in December and drove to New Orleans. He also stole the victim's identity to cash checks.

Drenner was taken into custody in Hattiesburg, Miss. and brought back to Etowah County. He is being held on a $6,000 bond.

2-12-16

Tobacco store raid

Calhoun County Sheriffs deputies raided a tobacco store on Tuesday. It happened at Smokin' Joes, located on Highway 21 at the Weaver city limits.  Chief Deputy Matthew Wade says investigators served a search warrant and seized what he called a number of "substances." Wade says the substances will have to be tested before he can identify them.  The search warrant used in the midday raid indicates investigators were looking for cannaboids, or marijuana oil.

2-12-16

Oxford Police searching for theft suspect

The Oxford Police Department has turned to social media to catch a  theft suspect who was captured on surveillance video returning stolen items to a store to get a refund.  According to police, the man is wanted in connection with an incident on Jan. 29 in the on Hillyer Robinson Parkway, where a thief broke into a car and stole items purchased at T.J. Maxx.  Video released by police on their facebook page shows a man returning items taken during the car break-in. Anyone with information regarding his identity or this case is urged to contact Oxford police at 256-835-6122. Authorities said you can leave a tip anonymously.

2-12-16

Artillery firing at Pelham range

The Alabama National Guard is warning residents near Fort McClellan and Pelham Range that they will hear artillery fire for two days beginning next week.

According to a release from the National guard, soldiers training on the range will begin live-fire exercises Thursday, Feb. 18. Those exercises will continue until Feb. 20^th.