Deputies make arrests in Escambia Academy thefts
Published 2:48 pm Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Four suspects were recently charged, for two separate burglaries that each took place at Escambia Academy.
2 adults, 1 juvenile caught stealing softball equipment
Mike Lambert, chief deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said that two adults were arrested Tuesday for a theft that occurred July 28 at EA.
Arrested were Chelsey Ramer, 19, and Lawrence Ramer, 19, both of Atmore. They were charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree theft of property and second-degree criminal mischief, with bond set at $10,000. Also charged was a 17-year-old juvenile, who accompanied the Ramers to the burglary.
Lambert said that Alabama State Trooper Jimmy Dean, who lives adjacent to Escambia Academy, noticed a suspicious vehicle near the school on July 28. Lambert said Dean searched the vehicle and found softball bats and balls. The Ramers and the juvenile were inside the vehicle.
Because the incident involved a property crime, Dean contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. Escambia County Deputy Justin Hetrick interviewed the three suspects, who admitted to entering the field house and concession stand.
Lambert said that the suspects also removed some speakers from the property and damaged them, but did not take them.
Although the theft took place in late July, Lambert said that warrants were not taken out until the EA board of directors had officially decided to press charges.
As a condition of their bond, Escambia County District Judge Jeff White ordered the Ramers to stay off EA property.
Man, 29, stole teachers’ credit cards
Lambert also said that a Flomaton man, 29-year-old Christopher Alvin Nall, was arrested Friday and charged in connection with another theft at EA.
Lambert said the ECSO received a report on Aug. 22 that someone had entered the classrooms at EA and taken some teachers’ credit cards and checks, along with other miscellaneous items. Lambert said that the ECSO received information that the cards were being used at local businesses.
Investigators Kyle Ramsey and Justin Hetrick were able to obtain video of one of those transactions, and identify the suspect. Warrants were obtained for Nall’s residence and vehicle, and investigators found several of the items that were stolen, Lambert said.
Nall was charged with third-degree theft of property, second-degree theft of property, second-degree forgery, third-degree burglary and fraudulent use of a credit card or debit card. His bond was set at $30,000, and as of Wednesday afternoon he had not bonded out.