Proudly serving Dothan, Alabama since 1904
On 4/23/2022 and 4/24/2022, two vehicles were broken into in the 1900 block of Melba Drive in Dothan. Around the same time, some power equipment was taken from the yard of a residence in the 1900 block of Melba Drive. Investigators have now charged 21 year old Davion Datron Turner, of Dothan, with two counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and one count of Theft of Property Second Degree. His bond is set at $45,000.00.
The Dothan Police Foundation was recently awarded an Education Grant by the Southeast Alabama Community Foundation. This grant supports the Citizen Firearm Safety Class that is hosted by the Dothan Police Department. The Citizen Firearm Safety Class is held numerous times a year at the Wiregrass Public Safety Center, and it is made available to local citizens who apply.
The class educates students on firearm fundamentals, applicable laws, and safety practices. If you or someone you know is interested, please fill out an application by clicking the link below.
A citizen has reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Dothan Police Department. The caller spoofed their number to show it was coming from 334-615-3000. The caller advised the person they had warrants with the Dothan Police Department and to keep from going to jail they needed to go purchase a pre-paid credit or gift card for a specific amount of money and provide the card number to the caller. Please be aware THIS IS A SCAM and is not associated with the Dothan Police Department in any way. The Dothan Police Department will never call someone to attempt to collect money for a warrant. We will only show up in person to address any issue we may have.
On Monday morning, 5/9/2022, the Dothan Police Department was contacted about a burglary that had already occurred at the Alfred Saliba Family Service Center on West Lafayette Street in Dothan. Officers discovered the inside of the building had been devastated by ruthless vandals who entered the building and deliberately destroyed as much property as they could. Numerous windows were broken, office equipment destroyed, fire extinguishers released, and graffiti spray painted on the walls. Through the course of the investigation, we have determined there are multiple suspects responsible for the devastation. It appears the suspects are juvenile age to young adult age. The investigation is ongoing, and evidence is still being processed. Video evidence is being processed as well and as soon as pictures of suspects are available, they will be released if possible.
We ask that anyone with information related to this incident please contact Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000 or contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000. Information can be provided anonymously if you wish.
UPDATE: Late Monday afternoon, 5/9/2022, it was reported that several suspects were attempting to break into the Alfred Saliba Family Service Center again. This was the third burglary in two days. When patrol officers arrived, a short foot pursuit ensued, and all subjects were taken into custody. It was learned all subjects were juveniles under the age of 16. Some of the individuals were also responsible for the burglaries the day before as well. Through the course of this investigation, we have now determined the identity of all subjects responsible for all three burglaries in the last two days at the Alfred Salida Family Service Center. All suspects involved are juveniles under the age of 16, therefore, due to the juvenile privacy laws, no further suspect information can be released. Most of the stolen property has been recovered during the investigation as well.
We would like to thank the public for their valuable help in solving this crime. Oftentimes, the smallest piece of information can be what’s needed to break a case. Information from the community along with catching the suspects on Monday afternoon are what led to solving this crime that left four local businesses in total devastation. These businesses will remain closed for an undetermined about of time until repairs can be made, and equipment can be repaired or replaced.
On Thursday afternoon, 5/5/2022, at approximately 3:00 PM, the Dothan Police Department received a call about a Dothan City school bus being shot into while traveling in the area of Fortner Street and South Park Avenue. There were children on the bus at the time this occurred, however, there were no injuries of any kind. Multiple officers and investigators quickly saturated the area to begin canvassing for suspects.
While officers were responding to the school bus, two other victims called reporting their vehicles had been shot into as well while traveling in the same area. It was determined the shots were fired by someone in the front yard of a residence in the 900 block of Fortner Street. Officers quickly surrounded the residence and detained all occupants. Three weapons were found inside the residence. One of them is believed to have been used to shoot at the school bus and other vehicles. Upon examination, all three weapons were determined to be compressed-air powered BB guns and all of them were replicas of real guns.
As a result, 20 year old Jacquette Daquin Townsend, of Dothan, was charged with three counts of Throwing or Shooting Deadly or Dangerous Missile into Occupied Vehicle. His bond was set at $45,000.00.
On Saturday, 4/30/2022, the Dothan Police Department responded to Sunset Drive and met the victim of an edge weapon assault that had occurred on Torino Drive. The victim received lacerations to the face, hand, and arm, but they were not serious. The suspect, 19 year-old Tayla Thompson, of Headland, confronted the victim because she was attempting to have a relationship with him, and she discovered they did not share the same vision. While engaged in a conversation, it escalated to the point she produced a knife and as a result, he received the injuries. Thompson was charged with one count of Assault Second Degree. Her bond was set at $15,000.00.
On Saturday, 4/30/2022, the Dothan Police Department was notified of a sexual assault that had just occurred. The incident took place at a local motel here in Dothan. The victim and suspect were acquaintances but not involved in a relationship. After investigating the matter, probable case was established to charge 34 year old Jonathan David Golden of Dothan with Rape 1st, Sodomy 1st, and Sexual Abuse 1st. His bond was set at $85,000.00.
On 4/19/2022, the Dothan Police Department began an investigation after being made aware of inappropriate contact between an adult male and juveniles under the age of 16. The initial investigation led to 45 year old Jason Dean Burdeshaw, of Dothan, being charged with two counts of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes. As this investigation has progressed, additional evidence has been discovered that has now led to 31 additional charges for sex crimes against Burdeshaw.
On 4/27/2022, Burdeshaw was charged with 2 counts of Sexual Abuse First Degree, 10 counts of Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree, 2 counts of Rape Second Degree, and 17 counts of Sodomy Second Degree. He has no bond for these charges. This is still an active investigation and as we wait for results of additional evidence, future charges are likely.
Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the juvenile privacy laws, no further information will be released.
On Tuesday, 4/26/2022, an unknown suspect broke into a residence in Cottonwood, AL. The same suspect is responsible for attempting to break into a business in Dothan, AL on the same day. The suspect was driving a white 4-door passenger car with an Alabama tag, which is shown in the video. We believe someone out there may recognize this individual or the vehicle from the video posted below. Please help identify this individual who is responsible for taking property that did not belong to him. If you recognize him or the vehicle, please call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000, or you may call Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.
On Saturday night, 4/23/2022, officers responded to a breaking and entering a vehicle call in the 100 block of South Foster Street. Alert officers spotted a suspicious person hiding in the wood line. As officers made contact with the person, they also discovered a large pile of miscellaneous property on the ground that had been covered up with a blanket. It was determined the items had come from multiple vehicles in the area. The person was identified as Ronald Devone Balcom. Balcom also had multiple stolen items on his person. Thankfully, all property was recovered and returned to the rightful owners.
As a result of the investigation, 58 year old Ronald Devone Balcom, of Dothan, was arrested and charged with four counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle.
We would like to remind everyone to make sure your vehicles are kept locked at all times, either at home, or while visiting a place of business. Also, keep anything of value out of sight or covered up. These reminders are often given during the holiday season, but actually should be practiced year-round. Thieves prey upon easy opportunities. If your valuables are visible or even if your vehicle is left unlocked, it is perceived as an invitation to criminals.
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