On April 3, 2026, around 3:00 am, Dothan Police Officers responded to a burglary in progress in the 300 block of Daniel Circle. Officers met with the homeowner who explained he heard his dogs barking around 1:00 am. The homeowner checked the inside and outside of the residence but found nothing. Just before 3:00 am, the homeowner heard a loud crash and went to see what the sound was. The homeowner found the suspect, identified as Jacob Mark Wilson Gates (33) of Dothan, lying in the hallway after falling through the ceiling. The homeowner, in order to protect himself, struck Gates with a dog gate until Gates fled the residence.
Officers were quick to respond and tracked the suspect using a police K-9. The dog tracked the suspect to the 2000 block of Stonebridge where Gates was apprehended. It was clear to officers Gates was impaired by drug use. During a search, officers found a bag with numerous different pills along with a white powder and syringes. Through the investigation, it was discovered Gates entered the attic of the residence by climbing a porch railing and entering a roof vent. Gates was in the attic for about 2 hours before he fell through the ceiling.
Gates was arrested and charged with Burglary 2nd degree. Other charges are pending analysis of the pills and powder found on Gates.