Ozark arrest reports

March 09, 2009

By Ebony Horton

The following crimes/incidents were reported to the Ozark Police Department over the weekend:

Theft of Property 2nd/Burglary 3rd (6 cts) – Showcase Homes –suspect entered an unsecured mobile home and removed several household items.

Theft of Property 3rd – Applebees – suspect is an employee at listed business and adjusted her tip totals on receipts to make a larger profit off of sales.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Grocery Outlet Parking Lot – suspect driving a Lincoln Towncar struck the victim on her right hip then left without checking on the victim.

Theft of Property 3rd – Inland – suspect pumped $16.00 worth of gasoline into his vehicle and left without paying.

Harassing Communications –Coby Drive – suspect left two threatening messages, directed at victim on complainant’s answering machine.

Harassing Communications –W. Hwy 27 – suspects repeatedly called the victim using profane and threatening language after being told to stop calling.

Assault 3rd – Murphy USA – suspect approached the victim at listed location and pushed her into the pumps, struck her in the head then scratched her on the face.

Theft of Property 3rd – Ozark Convenience Store –suspect pumped $53.99 worth of gasoline into her vehicle and left without paying.

Unlawful Breaking & Entering of a Vehicle/Theft of Property 3rd – Quality Inn Parking Lot –unknown suspect entered victim’s secured vehicle and removed a Tom Tom GPS and a bag of change.

Criminal Mischief 2nd –Jasmine Hills Apartments – suspects busted out 5 windows on victim’s vehicle and punctured 4 vehicle tires.

Criminal Mischief 3rd/Menacing - Jasmine Hills Apartments – suspect threw a wood 2X4 at the victim’s window where the victim stood holding her small child which caused the window to shatter on the victim and her child.

Harassing Communications – Wal Mart – suspect continuously calls victim at home and work after being told to stop calling.

Theft of Property 3rd – Wal Mart – suspect was observed walking around the store placing store items inside her purse and tried to leave without paying.

Assault 3rd – Oben Park – suspects struck the victim with a closed fist in the back of his head then tackled the victim and kicked him.

Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Lortab) – Dale County Jail – Suspect was being placed into custody for shoplifting when this officer found four loose pills which were determined to be the listed drug.

Theft of Property 3rd – Waffle House –suspect removed $140.00 from her purse which was located in the prep area of her workplace.

Criminal Mischief 3rd –Hull Street –suspect used an unknown object to damage the front side chain link fence.

Theft of Property 3rd – Inland -  suspect pumped $25.00 worth of gasoline into his vehicle and left without paying.

Theft of Property 3rd – Wal Mart – suspect was observed concealing several meat items inside her clothing and attempt to check out without paying.

Assault 3rd – Jasmine Hills Apartments – suspects punched the victim, knocked her to the ground then kicked and bit her on her right thigh and left index finger.

Harassment –Sunny Acres Drive – suspect made verbal threats towards the victim causing her to fear for her safety.

Being a news reporter a community service, not devoid or hurting folks sometimes

By Ebony Horton

Do you ever notice that, at most fast-food restaurants, most of the workers who hand you your food tell you to have a nice day afterward, even though it looks like they could care less whether you do or not?
Sometimes that “have a nice day” might be what one person needs. Sometimes a person doesn’t notice or could care less, and sometimes it might even make someone feel worse, as the person at the window represents another person who just lives life with routine, not with meaning.
Well, though I’m sure there are better analogies to my job as a reporter than this one, it does kind of go along with mine on a higher level.
I’ve always considered being a reporter a community service, an opportunity to provide information to my community that either helps or informs. I started writing for news with the Talon at CHS, and I’ve never had an intention to hurt.
There are, however, those times where things I write do tend to hurt people - whether it hurts their spirits, their image, etc.
My life aside from work is full of emotion - just ask my family and my co-workers.
But at work as a reporter, similar to a homicide investigator or a child advocate who listens to abused children talk about their injuries, what I write or do tends to train me to continue to stay objective.
I can sit through a murder trial like a juror and not form an opinion in the paper, even when the person is guilty. I have to report both sides, and fully.
I can write about a wreck that kills children and only list the facts, even if the story involves alcohol.
I can write a beautiful feature about someone and their family and hope it brings joy to the community, though my job is only to report the situation and let the readers feel however they want to.
And don’t get me wrong, I love my job, and some people can tell by my writing style that I love to write what people perceive the “good” stories. Sometimes the “bad” stories, or the ones about crime, come a little easier and whether unfortunately or fortunately, some people tend to read those more. By the way, if you have any feature story ideas, let me know.
And even though at times what I write tends to hurt people, it’s kind of like the person at the drive-thru window. It might be in some kind of policy for them to tell you to have a nice day, whether it makes you feel good or makes you care at all.
They have a job to do that, at least directly, doesn’t really involve the feelings of who they’re working with. It has to be done while they’re on that clock.
So do I.

Skipperville natives speak on faith at Long

March 06, 2009

By Ebony Horton

OPD reports

March 03, 2009

By Ebony Horton

The following crimes/incidents were reported to the Ozark Police Department on Monday. Information provided by the Ozark Police Department:

Theft of Property 3rd/Criminal Trespass 2nd – US Hwy 231 South – suspect climbed over a wooden fence entering an area that victim stored salvaged vehicles and removed Buick and Nissan Stock Alloy Rims.

Domestic Dispute – Parker Hills Drive – two argued over personal matters.

Identity Theft/Theft of Property 2nd – Unknown Location – suspect gained victim’s information and used that information to make an internet purchase in the amount of $2169.91 without the victim’s permission.

Theft of Property 2nd – Church Avenue – suspect was spending the night at victim’s residence and upon leaving took victim’s lap top computer.

Domestic Harassment – Wal Mart Parking Lot – suspect struck the victim on the arm, spit in her face and threw a beer can at her which almost struck her in the head.

Criminal Mischief 3rd – Arrowhead Apartments – suspect set fire to cloth rags and threw them in the dumpster causing the entire dumpster to be engulfed in flames.