ECSO arrests Atmore man for crime that occurred on Nov. 29

An Atmore man was arrested on Nov. 29 on burglary and drug charges at a residence in Poarch, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said the ECSO arrested and charged Joel Thomas Klinger, 31, of Atmore, with burglary I and III, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a drug paraphernalia and theft of property II.

Lambert said the ECSO received a 911 call from the residence of 1474 Still Farm Rd., Poarch, in reference to a burglary in progress.

“Deputies, along with Poarch Creek officers, responded,” he said. “The Poarch Creek officers responded a few minutes prior to the deputies’ arrival to the scene and found a suspect that was forcing his way into a residence using a screwdriver. He was taken into custody without incident. While deputies searched the suspect, they found a .38 caliber pistol on his person with what appeared to be the serial numbers attempted to be obliterated from the pistol, and also found the suspect to be in possession of a controlled substance (crystal methamphetamines) and drug paraphernalia.”

Lambert said Klinger was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center, and as a result of the investigation, deputies were able to determine that another residence on Still Farm Road had been allegedly burglarized by Klinger.

Klinger remains in the Escambia County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond. The case still remains under investigation.