Tag Archive for: Robbery

Second Suspect Arrested in Birmingham Homicide Investigation. Aronde Samuels, 22, has been arrested by Birmingham police and becomes the second suspect taken into custody in connection to a June homicide incident that took place in the 1800 Block of 3rd Place Southwest.  Samuels was finally located after a witness came forward and identified him in conjunction with the murder of 53-year-old Arthur Mills.  He is currently being held without bail at the Jefferson County Jail and has been charged with capital murder.

The first suspect, Davarius McGee, has been charged with capital murder, first-degree robbery, and attempted murder.  Therefore, he is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail on two $60,000 bonds.

The murder took place at 5:10 p.m. on June 15th when Juliette Lockett was attempting to leave her home.  She was approached by the suspects who stole a ring from her finger and her 2009 silver Cadillac CTS.  Her neighbor, Arthur Mills, confronted the men and shots were exchanged.  The rear window of an SUV on Lockett’s property was shot out and Mills was struck in the chest.  He was rushed to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:42 p.m.

Although, Lockett died from a massive heart attack on July 19, exactly one month and five days after the attack outside of her home.

Detectives continue their search for a third suspect. Anyone with information about the case to call Birmingham’s Homicide Unit at 205-254-176 or CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777.

Montgomery Fugitive Captured in Norfolk by US Marshals. United States Marshals for the Eastern District of Virginia announced on Thursday that they had captured an Alabama fugitive that had been eluding capture for the last 23 years.  Jeffrey Martin, now 52, was charged with first-degree robbery in 1990 and arrested.  However, after posting bond, Martin stopped coming to court and disappeared.  He had been wanted in Montgomery County for the last two decades. For instance, on a criminal charge of failure to appear on charges of first-degree robbery.  Deputy United States Marshall Timothy Alley said that Martin was able to elude capture by constantly moving around the country.

Martin was profiled last month on Central Alabama Crime Stoppers.  The piece produced numerous tips which helped to lead investigators to Norfolk.  Jeffrey Martin was arrested on Thursday with assistance from the United States Marshal Service’s Gulf Coast Regional Task force.

Montgomery Fugitive Captured in Norfolk by US Marshals Conclusion: He is currently being held in Norfolk while he waits to be extradited back to Montgomery.

“The arrest of Jeffrey Martin is a great example of federal, state, and local law enforcement working together,” Arthur D. Baylor, United States Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama, stated. “It does not matter how far or how long you run from law enforcement. The United States Marshals Service will continue to work with our partners in tracking down and apprehending federal and state fugitives.”

Birmingham Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges. Johnny Jerell Effinger, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of attempted murder before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tracie Todd during a hearing on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  Each charge is a class A felony. Furthermore, is punishable with 15 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $60,000.

These charges stem from the following incidents that took place in 2012:

  • On April 2, 2012, Effinger was charged with attempted murder after he shot at another man who he had taken money from.
  • On March 20, 2012, Effinger robbed two people at gun point on 1st avenue North. According to the indictment, he stole $100, two cellular phones, a debit card, and a purse from the victims.
  • On September 26, 2012, Effinger was involved in a robbery at O’Reilly Auto Parts on Gadsden Highway.  Prosecutors say that he acted as a lookout while another man broke into the business. While he took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene.

Under a plea agreement with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, Johnny Jerell Effinger was given a 20 year split sentence with five years in prison and five years on probation.  If he breaks the terms of his probation, the judge could impose the remainder of his 20 year prison sentence.

Attorney Charles Salvagio represented Effinger in this case.

Victim or the Crime? Earlier this week a Jefferson County business owner contacted police to report that he had been the victim of a robbery. Upon investigating his establishment, police soon decided that he was a victim of a robbery. Although, he was also a perpetrator of a different crime: illegal gambling. Responding officers found illegal electric gambling machines inside the business when they went to investigate the call. Which reported that three men had come to use the gambling machines and robbed the business owner at gunpoint, carrying a shotgun.

However, no progress has been reported on the capture of the gun-wielding bandits. Sheriff’s spokesman Randy Christian says the illegal gambling machines were seized Monday morning and no charges have been filed. It is unclear how much cash the robbers made off with.

Gambling legislation has been a point of heated controversy in the Alabama legislature over the past decade. The law as it stands is at best up for interpretation. In addition, at worst a murky area without a clear line of legality. For instance, there has been no shortage of ink spilled in attempting to state the current legal status of electronic bingo machines. The laws are often different, or at least differently enforced, from county to county.

No doubt the business owner now feels doubly violated. Firstly, men with guns took his cash. Then his “protectors,” who also have guns, came and confiscated what were likely very expensive machines that generated revenues for his establishment.

It is one thing to argue the legality of these machines. Furthermore, to have matters heard in a court of law pertaining to penalties or injunctions against operation of such machines. It is quite another for the officers responding to a report of armed robbery to confiscate the machines on their way out the door.

If you have been charged with armed robbery, with promoting illegal gambling, or even been the victim of improper police conduct, you are only as effective as your legal advocate before the courts. At Boles Holmes White, we have decades of combined litigation experience in matters ranging from criminal defense to personal injury. Time may be working against you, so don’t delay! Take advantage of our free consultation by calling 205-502-2000.