News Releases

Mobile Police Make Arrests After Webb Avenue Raid

Feb 13th, 2014

On February 13, 2014, Mobile Police, in keeping with the technique of "hotspot policing," conducted an operation to deter major crimes in the Webb Avenue area. This area, known for extensive drug sales on a street-level, was determined to be related to almost 1,000 additional crimes — some of them homicides — due to the prevalent drug sales and use in the area. Five subjects were identified at four residences in the area, which were targets of this operation.

The following are arrests made from search warrants served today on Webb Avenue and McVay Drive:

17 year-old juvenile male — Possession of Marijuana Second Degree

Yolanda Walker (DOB: 03/21/1965) — Possession of Marijuana Second Degree

Jamar Black (DOB: 11/03/1991) — Possession of a Controlled Substance (Spice)
Possession of Marijuana Second Degree

Kiara Pritchett (DOB: 01/02/1993) — Possession of a Controlled Substance (Spice)
Possession of Marijuana Second Degree

John Walker (DOB: 12/31/1955) — Two counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Xanax)

Narcotics and Intelligence investigators have identified several individuals from this area who each have multiple drug distribution cases pending and were not arrested during this operation. Mobile Police will continue to search for these subjects.

In addition to this operation, a second operation was immediately conducted to find individuals in the area with outstanding warrants. An additional five misdemeanor arrests were made.

Mobile Police Chief, James Barber, said, "The measure is not the amount of drugs seized [during this operation] but the reduction of violent crime in this area moving forward." In his strategic plan, released in November 2013, Barber pointed out hotspot policing as "identifying crime hotspots and the use of problem-solving techniques to reduce crime and calls for service by addressing the underlying circumstances that cause crime."

A breakdown of crime in a .2 mile (approximately two blocks) radius of Webb Avenue from 2011 — 2013 is as follows:

Description Count
Murder/Homicide 2
Murder associated with area 2
Rape/Sex Offense 5
Robbery/Carjacking 13
Arson 2
Assault/Domestic Violence/Harassment 220
Burglary/Auto Burglary/Attempt 72
Vehicle Theft 13
Larceny/Stolen Property/Forgery 115
Narcotics/Vice/Alcohol 163
Weapons Offenses 17
Misc 371

Three Year All Total 995

Mobile Police would like to continue to encourage citizens to call 911 and the non-emergency police phone number (208-7211) to report crimes in their areas. Hotspot policing will continue in Mobile and citizens can help police identify residential problem areas.

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Ashley H. Rains
Public Information Office
(251) 208-1918