Release Date: Friday, March 05, 2010

              Four males have been arrested in a massive burglary investigation after they were caught breaking into homes, stealing items and selling them for drugs and money.

                “Our officers have spent many hours watching these suspects under difficult circumstances and have done a great job,” said Capt. Paul Kelly, who supervises the department’s Criminal Investigations Division. “The officers were able to witness the suspects commit a burglary Thursday and were then able to take them into custody.”

                The case took a major turn Thursday afternoon when the four males were arrested around 3 p.m. after officers saw them burglarize a home on Bellview Pines Road. Kelly said a witness to another burglary that occurred several days ago in the Ninth Avenue/Fairfield Drive area notified police that the suspects were seen in a gold Chevrolet Impala, which was one of the clues officers had in tracking them down.

                Arrested Thursday were:

- Shane Michael Williams, 23, of 710 Gentian St., Pensacola. Charged with six counts of burglary and five counts of grand theft. Additional charges from the Escambia Sheriff’s Office.

- Christopher Darnell Powers Jr., 19, of 114 Berkley Ave., Pensacola. Charged with six counts of burglary and five counts of grand theft.

- Jamarius Lanier James, 18, of 1401 W. Lloyd St., Pensacola. Charged with one count of burglary and one count of grand theft. Additional charges from Escambia Sheriff’s Office.

- Shealton Alexander Parker, 16, of 103 Warwick Ave., Pensacola. Charged with four counts of burglary and three counts of grand theft.

Kelly said the suspects may be connected to at least 50 residential burglaries that have occurred in East Hill and north Pensacola since December 2009. The Escambia Sheriff’s Office, which participated in the investigation, also has charges against the suspects.

                Thousands of dollars worth of electronic items such as computer games, computers, flat screen TVs plus jewelry, cash and guns were stolen. Four search warrants were carried out Thursday and numerous items were seized. Detectives are trying to identify owners of the items and return the stolen items.

                Eight PPD detectives and approximately a dozen officers assigned to the department’s Community Services Division participated in the investigation. Kelly said the CSD officers handled surveillance and worked with detectives on the search warrants and follow-up work.

                The investigation is on-going with more arrests and charges against the current suspects anticipated.

Kelly said Parker and Powers were part of a burglary ring investigation by the Pensacola Police Department in 2008; Parker was charged with 20 burglaries and Powers with seven in the previous investigation.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service provided technical assistance during the investigation.

 

  Shane Williams

  Christopher Powers

  Jamarius James

  Shealton Parker