Category: Press Releases

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Notice about fireworks inside the city limits

As the July 4th holiday approaches, we remind our citizens fireworks are illegal in the City Limits of Dothan. The Police Department will be patrolling and may issue citations for illegal use of fireworks. For those readers who may legally use fireworks at their home (again, this is no one in the City Limits of Dothan!!) we would like to encourage safety first! We encourage those within the City Limits to visit a professionally produced fireworks show such as the “Fireworks on the Fairgrounds” beginning at 9:00 PM at the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety lists nine safety tips that encourage firework users to celebrate our nation’s heritage on the Fourth of July safely.

If discharging fireworks where it is legal to do so:

  • Use fireworks outdoors only.
  • Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
  • Always have water handy (a hose or bucket).
  • Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
  • Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should
  • wear safety glasses.
  • Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
  • Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
  • Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives!
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Dothan Police Narcotics Officers Make Drug Trafficking Arrest

On June 23, 2020 Dothan Police Narcotics Investigators arrested 29 year old Diante Teivon Vickers and charged him with one count of Drug Trafficking. 

The arrest came after an approximate three month investigation. Narcotics officers made a traffic stop on a vehicle that Mr. Vickers was occupying. During the course of the traffic stop a police canine was used and alerted that the vehicle contained narcotics. 

Officers searched the vehicle and found approximately 400 grams of synthetic analog used to make synthetic marijuana. Mr. Vickers was charged with Drug Trafficking and was also arrested for 8 outstanding warrants for failure to appear. Mr. Vickers is currently on bond for Drug Trafficking and a bond amount of $1,000,000.00 was set.

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Woman Charged with Felony for Biting an Officer While Resisting Arrest

On June 21, 2020, the Dothan Police Department responded to the 700 block of State Avenue for a disturbance call.  When officers arrived, contact was made with the suspect, Pamela Reynolds, who was intoxicated.  Officers attempted to take Reynolds into custody and she began to resist arrest.  During the struggle, Reynolds bit the hand of one officer causing a laceration to the officer’s hand.

Pamela Faye Reynolds (50) was charged with Assault 2nd Degree with a $15,000 bond.

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Man arrested for Sodomy

On June 20, 2020, the Dothan Police Department was called to a residence in the 400 block of Mustang Drive.  It was alleged the suspect, Andrew Townsend, had oral sex with a victim that was under the age of 12.  During an interview with investigators, Townsend admitted to the offense.

To protect the identity of the victim, no further information will be released.

Andrew Townsend (18) was charged with Sodomy 1st Degree with a bond of $60,000.

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Traffic Fatality

On June 21st at 3:00 AM, Dothan Police were dispatched to a vehicle accident in the 1000 block of Cottonwood Rd. A single vehicle was traveling South on Cottonwood road and left the roadway causing the vehicle to strike a sign pole. The Passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger has been identified as 21 year old Nikeya Brown, of Pansey, Al. The driver of the vehicle was rushed to Southeast Health and is listed in critical condition.

The crash is being investigated by the Dothan Police Department Crash Team.

The Dothan Police Department would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Brown family.

Steven L. Parrish
Chief of Police

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Teen Captured after Robbing Two Convenience Stores Charged as Adult

On June 6, 2020,  a subject entered a local convenience store in the 100 block of East Cottonwood Road.  The subject produced a small handgun and demanded money and tobacco products.  The subject fled the scene prior to police arrival.

On June 12, 2020, a subject entered a local convenience store in the 1300 block of East Selma Street.  The subject produced a small handgun and demanded money from the clerk.  It was determined this subject was the same as the robbery 6 days earlier.  Two hours after this robbery, officers with the Dothan Police Department apprehended Nicholas Malik George  after he was linked to the crimes.  Upon being interviewed by police, George admitted to both robberies.  The severity of the crime and use of a firearm lead investigators to charge George as an adult.

Nicholas Malik George (16) of Dothan was charged with two counts of Robbery 1st Degree with bonds totaling $120,000.

Nicholas Malik George- Two Counts of Robbery 1st Degree
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Updated Press Release on Ducks from Emerald Lake

On May 28, 2020, Investigators from the Dothan Police Department collected a deceased duck from the banks of Emerald Lake to sent it for analysis.  The duck was sent to the Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn, AL.  The duck and a water sample from the lake were analyzed by scientists.

On June 5, 2020, the results of the analysis was received by investigators.  According to the State Diagnostic Laboratory, “No evidence of an infectious etiology was observed upon necropsy and histopathologic examination.  Heavy metal levels are within acceptable levels and pesticides were not detected upon toxicological analysis. ”

The report continued, “Botulism remains as the most likely cause of death.  Ducks often contract botulism from feeding on decaying vegetation or other organic material on the bottom of ponds.  Botulism more often affects ducks than geese, which may explain the mortality observed in only ducks”.  The Diagnostic Laboratory found no evidence of any poison in the duck or the water sample supplied.

The Dothan Police Department wants to thank the members of the community for bringing this to our attention.  We hope the answers bring closure from some residents in that area.  The Dothan Police Department would also like to thank the Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory for their assistance and expertise in this case.

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Press Release: Deceased Wildlife at Emerald Lake

On 5/25/2020, several concerned citizens contacted the Dothan Police Department about ducks and geese that were found deceased.  A post made on a social media site alleged the wildlife had been killed by an unknown poison.  At this time, there is no evidence to support the accusation that any poison was used on wildlife at Emerald Lake although it cannot be ruled out at this stage in the investigation.  The Dothan Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is currently investigating the case to determine if the deaths were caused by environmental causes or by a criminal action.

Due to the unusual nature of the investigation, the Dothan Police Department is currently seeking advice and support from various public and private entities in an attempt to provide answers to the members of the community.

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Early Evening Shooting Leads to Suspect Arrested and Stolen Gun Located

On 5/11/2020 just after 5:00 pm, Dothan Police Officers responded to the 600 block of East Newton Street for a firearms assault.  The victim was located, treated by Dothan Fire Medics, and transported to a local hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds.  Investigators from Dothan Police Criminal Investigations Division began their investigation by interviewing neighbors and relatives of the victim.  A general description of the suspect, according to witnesses, was a black male wearing camouflage shorts and black shirt last scene walking towards Range Street.

Information led officers at about 10:00 pm to a local housing project in Dothan.  Criminal Investigators, Patrol Officers, and Task Force Officers from the U.S. Marshal’s Service surrounded the apartment and took the suspect, Alfonza Walker, into custody without incident.  During the search, the firearm believed to be the weapon used in the assault was located, which was stolen.

Dothan Police Department would like to thank the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force for their assistance in apprehending the suspect.

Alfonza Hurt Walker (32) of Dothan was charged with Attempted Murder and Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree and is being held without bond.

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Man Shot by Family Member Now Charged with Burglary

On 5/11/2020 just after 1:30 pm, Dothan Police Officers responded to the 1300 block of Decatur Street for a reported shooting.  It was discovered that the man who was shot got into a verbal altercation with a family member that turned physical.  The family member, fearing for his life, took out his firearm and fired multiple rounds at the suspect, Justin Bland.  Bland was struck at least twice.  Bland was treated at the scene by Dothan Fire Medics and transported to a local hospital.

After interviews with witnesses and family members, there was evidence that Bland, who was banned from the residence, unlawfully entered the family member’s residence.  The family member who shot Bland was not charged.

Justin Tyler Bland (31) of Dothan was charged with Burglary 1st Degree and has a bond of $60,000.

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