theft – Dothan Police Department

May 19, 2023

Two Charged with Theft from Bank Accounts

Recently the Dothan Police Department has been investigating various reports of banking fraud. It was believed the individuals responsible for this were fraudulently obtaining information that allowed them to access individual’s bank accounts. During the early morning hours on Friday, May 19, 2023, patrol officers observed what appeared to be suspicious individuals at a local ATM. As officers began to investigate, they began to recognize signs of possible fraudulent activity. All circumstances led to a search warrant being executed at a local hotel where the out-of-town individuals were staying.

As of now, Edward Ben Noel, 23 years old, and Rodneil Dee Olewis, 24 years old, both from Pembroke, Florida, have each been charged with four counts of Theft of Property 2^nd Degree and five counts of Theft of Property 3^rd Degree. Both are currently being held with No Bond. This is an ongoing investigation, and we are currently attempting to determine if these individuals may be responsible for similar activities in surrounding areas.

Edward Ben Noel – Theft of Property 2nd Degree X4 and Theft of Property 3rd Degree X5

Rodneil Dee Olewis – Theft of Property 2nd Degree X4 and Theft of Property 3rd Degree X5

May 5, 2023

Dothan Man Charged with Burglary

On May 4, 2023, the Dothan Police Department responded to a burglary of an unoccupied residence in the 1300 block of Haisten Drive. While officers were taking the report, a burglary of an occupied residence was reported in the 1700 block of Haisten Drive. Officers located the described suspect leaving the area of the second burglary and detained him. At that time, property from the first burglary was located in his possession.

Shawn Wayne Whitaker, 38 years old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Burglary 2^nd Degree, one count of Burglary 3^rd Degree, and one count of Theft of Property 3^rd Degree. His bond was set at $55,000.00.

Shawn Wayne Whitaker – Burglary 2nd Degree, Burglary 3rd Degree, and Theft of Property 3rd Degree

May 5, 2023

Dothan Man Charged with Identity Theft

On May 4, 2023, the Dothan Police Department began investigating a forged check that an individual cashed at a local bank. Later, the same individual attempted to cash a second forged check but was unsuccessful. It was determined the individual had provided a forged identification card with both checks. When contact was made with the individual, he was in possession of the forged identification card and a forged Alabama Conservation License. He was identified as 58 year-old Jeffrey Richard Doseck of Dothan.

Doseck was charged with two counts of Identity Theft, one count of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2^nd Degree, two count of Possession of a Forged Instrument 3^rd Degree, and one count of Theft of Property 1^st Degree. His bond was set was $40,00.00.

Jeffrey Richard Doseck – Identity Theft X2, Possession of Forged Instrument 2nd Degree X1, Possession of Forged Instrument 3rd Degree X2, and Theft of Property 1st Degree X1

May 1, 2023

Private Investigator Arrested for Theft by Deception

In November of 2021 the Dothan Police Department received a complaint from a victim alleging a private investigator in Dothan had taken advantage of them. As that was being investigated, an additional victim made a similar report. While investigating these claims additional victims came forward making similar allegations.

The facts and circumstances known about each victim was presented to the Houston County Grand Jury. The Houston County Grand Jury determined that there was sufficient evidence to move forward with prosecution and issued four indictments for Theft of Property by Deception 1^st degree.

While the grand jury was convening, before the indictments were returned, another victim came forward reporting similar circumstances. For this case, a warrant for Theft of Property by Deception 1^st degree was obtained.

On Monday, May 1, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at the residence of the private investigator in Wicksburg, Alabama as well as the office used for his business on West Main Street in Dothan.

While executing the search warrant in Wicksburg, the suspect, William (Bill) Lewis Robison Jr., 55 years old of Wicksburg, Alabama was taken into custody. He was booked into the Houston County Jail. His bond was set at $150,000.00.

This is an ongoing investigation.

William Lewis Robison – Theft of Property by Deception 1st Degree X5

April 6, 2023

Armored Delivery Man Charged with Theft

The Dothan Police Department has been investigating an alleged theft of money reported by a local armored delivery service. It was reported that money was missing from deposits of several businesses they transport for. The armored delivery company conducted their own internal investigation and determined one single employee was responsible for the missing money which totaled several thousand dollars.

As a result of the Dothan Police Department’s investigation, on April 4, 2023, 50 year-old Terry Scott Brown of Dothan and a long-time employee of the business, was charged with one count of Theft of Property First Degree. His bond was set at $15,000.00.

Terry Scott Brown – Theft of Property First Degree

October 4, 2022October 4, 2022

UPDATED: Two Suspects Caught for Diamond Theft

On Monday 10/3/2022, at approximately 2:15 PM, a white male suspect entered a Jewelry Store inside Wiregrass Commons Mall posing as a potential customer. While looking at several pieces of diamond jewelry the clerk was showing him from the display case, the suspect snatched several pieces of the jewelry and ran out of the store. The suspect entered a black vehicle with dark tinted windows and the vehicle fled. Information was obtained during the investigation that made officers think the suspect and vehicle could possibly be from another state west of Alabama. This information was disseminated to all surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Several hours later, an alert deputy in Baldwin County, Alabama was looking for a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description while working on Interstate 10. The deputy stopped a vehicle that was later determined to be the suspect vehicle from Dothan, AL. The vehicle was occupied by two individuals: Colby Allen Ladnier, and Alberto Esquivel II, both of Houston, TX. A probable cause search of the vehicle led to the recovery of evidence related to the crime that occurred in Dothan earlier in the day. Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department had charges related to their encounter. Dothan Police Department will be obtaining warrants for both individuals for Theft of Property First Degree. It is unknown when Ladnier and Esquivel will be transferred to Dothan to be formally charged.

October 3, 2022

Man Steals Diamonds

Anyone with information is asked to call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000. The Dothan Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help in an anonymous capacity.

June 3, 2022June 3, 2022

Contractor Charged with Theft from Employer

Between the first part of April and the end of May 2022, Lester Grout III was contracted to do maintenance work for a local hotel. During this time, Grout took 21 new TVs from the storage room which he had access to as part of his maintenance duties. He then sold all the TVs at various locations throughout the area.

Lester Charles Grout III, 41 years old of Enterprise, AL, is being sought for Theft of Property First Degree.

Lester Charles Grout III – Theft of Property First Degree

May 19, 2022May 21, 2022

CAPTURED: Authorities Are Searching For Two Con Artists

CAPTURED: Thanks to an observant citizen in Palm Bay, Florida who spotted these two individuals, the truck and the camper in a Walmart parking lot. The citizen called the local police and the pair were taken into custody. Once again, help from the community has made it possible for two criminals to be taken off the street. The pair now face charges in Palm Bay, Florida as well as multiple other states.

On May 18, 2022, Criminal Investigators with the Dothan Police Department signed felony warrants for two con artists traveling through our area. On May 10, 2022, Joshua William Matheny and Mary Jane Matheny were traveling in a dually pick-up truck pulling a fifth-wheel camper. The pair stopped at the Marathon Station in the 2400 block of Reeves Street and purchased $578.00 worth of fuel. They provided the clerk with a fraudulent credit card prior to pumping the fuel then left, leaving behind the fraudulent card. Through the course of the investigation, it has been discovered the pair have conducted similar activities in the surrounding area, as well as other states. Both are wanted for various felony crimes in multiple states. They were last known to be traveling in the dually pick-up truck pictured below, pulling the fifth-wheel camper pictured also. It has been confirmed the dually pick-up truck is stolen.

Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of these two individuals or the whereabouts of the pick-up truck or camper are asked to contact your nearest law enforcement agency or the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000.

May 16, 2022

Man Charged with Theft of a Vehicle

On May 14, 2022, Phillip Gregory Sloan got into a vehicle and drove away without the knowledge of the owner while in the parking lot of a business in the 300 block of Columbia Highway. The owner, who observed their vehicle leaving without their knowledge, requested a ride from a stranger and had the stranger follow their stolen vehicle while they called 911. Within minutes, officers were able to conduct a traffic stop on the victim’s vehicle and take Sloan into custody. There was no connection between Sloan and the owner of the vehicle.

Phillip Gregory Sloan, 30 years old, of Slocomb, was charged with Theft of Property First Degree. His bond was set at $30,000.00.