Pursuit of Homicide Suspect
The Dothan Police Department was involved in a vehicle pursuit of a suspected homicide suspect out of North Carolina who arrived in our city on a stolen vehicle. While investigating this information police located the vehicle and attempted to complete a traffic stop however the driver fled.
The pursuit traveled around Ross Clark Circle to Montgomery Highway where the suspect turned onto Cherokee Avenue, lost control and crashed into a tree sustaining critical injuries. Police on scene rendered first aid until Medics arrived and transported the driver to a local hospital. No other occupants were in the vehicle nor were any other motorists hurt.
Public Safety was our top priority today not only taking this person into custody but also in considering the motorists on the roadway. Police were actively responding to intersections ahead of the pursuit to stop motorists from encountering the oncoming danger.
The Dothan Police Department would like to say thank you to all motorists who cooperated with these emergency stops. We would also like to thank Houston County SO for assisting us. As always a special thanks to our officers that disregarded their own safety to ensure the safety of others throughout this incident.
Two Arrested in Northside Academy Theft
On April 6, 2019 a Burglary and Theft occurred at Northside Methodist Academy in 2600 block of Redmond Road. It was determined that a U-Haul van had entered the property and left with several items totaling over $20,000. On April 8, 2019 the U-Haul van was located in the back yard of a residence located in the 2600 block of Timothy Road along with some of the property taken during the theft. After further investigation, W/M Andrew Phillips was arrested and charged with two counts of Theft of Property 1st and Burglary 3rd. An additional charge of Domestic violence 2nd that occurred on August 6, 2018 in the 3000 block of Evans Dr and Breaking and Entering a Motor vehicle that occurred in 200 block of Petunia Dr.
Along with Phillips, W/M Tevin Coffman was also charged with Theft of Property 1st and Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle.
Andrew Phillips has bonds totaling $92,500.00.
Tevin Coffman has bonds totaling $7,500.00.
UPDATE: Traffic Fatality
On April 5th, 2019, the Dothan Police Department’s Crash Team responded to a traffic fatality at W. Main Street and North Woodburn Drive. After the completion of the investigation, charges have been filed against white male Christopher Britt Hamm, 45 years of age, of Dothan. Hamm has been charged with one count of Manslaughter ($60,000 bond), and one count of Assault 1st Degree ($60,000 bond). Hamm was also charged with Driving Under the Influence at the scene of the crash.
Hamm has been processed and transferred to the Houston County Jail. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
2019 Junior Police Academy
The 2019 Junior Police Academy is now accepting applications from Wiregrass youth ages 12-17 who are interested in learning more about the police department. The JPA is a two-week summer program designed to motivate young people to be outstanding citizens through law enforcement education. An extension of community policing, the JPA transforms the traditional role of a police officer into one of mentor and friend. At the same time it encourages young people to be our partners, not adversaries, in building safer schools and communities.
Also, a Junior Police Advanced Class is being offered for participants aged 15-17 who have already completed a prior Junior Police Academy class.
This free program is being offered by the Dothan Police Department’s Community Service Division on the following dates:
- Basic Session 1: June 3-13, 2019
- Basic Session 2: June 17-27, 2019
- Basic Session 3: July 8-18, 2019
- Advanced Session: July 23-25, 2019
For more information please feel free to send us a note online or call the Community Service Division at (334) 793-0230. Applications can be picked up from any Dothan Police School Resource Officer or by visiting the front desk at the police department.
Traffic Fatality Press Release
On April 5, 2019, at approximately 11:20 P.M., the Dothan Police Department responded to the intersection of West Main Street at North Woodburn Drive after receiving information of a crash with injuries.
Investigators with the Dothan Police Department’s Traffic Division responded to the scene due to the severity of the crash. Through preliminary investigation, it has been determined a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, traveling west on West Main Street, collided with a 2014 Ford F150 that was traveling on North Woodburn Drive.
The driver of the Ford, Richard Lane Williford, 57 yoa of Dothan, Alabama, succumbed to the injuries received during the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Houston County Coroner’s Office. The passenger of the Ford was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence and transported to the Dothan City Jail. More charges are pending following the completion of the investigation.
The Dothan Police Department would like to express our condolences to the Williford family in their time of loss.
Steven L. Parrish Chief of Police
DPD K9 of the day Toto
Last but certainly not least we would like to you to get to know Toto. This guy is a 2 year old Malinois from Hungary. His handler says Toto’s favorite thing to do is hunt his ball and have his neck scratched. He said that every day Toto runs to the patrol vehicle excited to go back to work!
Now that you have learned a little more about our canines we are proud to tell you that k9 teams are out there ensuring public safety 24/7. We thank our citizens for following along over the past two weeks as we have bragged a little about how much they mean to us! We also are grateful to our citizens for all the support that our unit receives!
Traffic Fatality Press Release
On April 4th at 3:00 AM, Dothan Police were dispatched to a vehicle accident in the 6800 block of W. Main Street. A single vehicle was travelling East on West Main Street and left the roadway causing the vehicle to roll numerous times. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver has been identified as 40 year old Kyle Pehrson, of N. Park Avenue, Dothan.
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 Pehrson family.
Steven L. Parrish
Chief of Police
2019 Special Olympics Torch Run
Andrews Bridal Shop Robbery
On April 1, 2019 at approximately 12:30 P.M. Dothan Police responded to a Robbery at Andrews Bridal Shop in the 2800 block of Montgomery Highway. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to a female employee that was working when the robbery occurred.
The employee stated that a black male wearing a dark shirt and dark pants also wearing a ball cap entered the business and inquired about a tuxedo. The male was described as being between 25 – 30 years old, between 5’5″ and 5’9″ tall and weighing between 170-180 pounds. During her interaction with the male he hit her in the side of the head with his fist and the employee began to struggle with him. During the struggle the male produced a handgun and pointed it at her head. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and forced the victim to go to the rear of the store.
Once at the rear of the store she was forced to lay on the ground. The male then removed some of her clothing and began touching her inappropriately. At this point, customers began showing up to the store and the male exited the rear door. He was seen by witnesses getting into a small maroon SUV and leaving the scene. The victim was taken to Southeast Health for treatment with non-life threatening injuries.
The Forensics Art Department of ALEA assisted in making a sketch of the suspect that is included. The Dothan Police Department requests that anyone with any information about this crime please contact them at 334-615-3000 or contact CrimeStoppers at 334-793-7000.
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