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Drug dealers chased, jailed
Florida pair tried to sell drugs on square, hit deputy’s car
Published Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Two Pensacola, Fla., men are facing a multitude of charges, including two counts of attempted murder, after they allegedly attempted to sell illegal drugs to a group of young adults on the Court Square.
Andalusia’s assistant chief Mike Bowlan said APD dispatch received a call at approximately 11:30 p.m., where the caller described the alleged entrepreneurs as two black males in a Nissan car bearing Florida plates.
“Immediately, officers in the area began to search for the vehicle, and it wasn’t long before Officer Steve McGowin spotted the vehicle at a convenience store near the intersection of (U.S. Hwy.) 84 and (U.S. Hwy.) 29,” Bowlan said.
Reports show McGowin attempted to initiate a traffic stop near Pioneer Drive, but the vehicle sped away — ultimately leading officers, as well as Covington County Sheriff’s deputies, on a high-speed chase up U.S. Hwy. 29.
“At one point the driver of the suspect vehicle attempted to turn onto Fire Tower Road, but the high rate of speed prevented that, thus forcing the vehicle into the yard of a nearby residence,” Bowlan said.
Bowlan said officers noticed items being thrown from the suspects’ vehicle near the river bridge in Gantt.
“As the pursuit continued north through Gantt to a spot just south of Dunns Bridge Road, the suspect vehicle collided with a Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle, threatening the lives of the two occupants,” Bowlan said. “It abruptly stopped in the highway and was struck by an APD vehicle driven by Office Chase Phillips.”
Bowlan said the vehicle slowed and was finally disabled when officers were able to fire shots into the suspects’ vehicle’s tires. The two occupants of the vehicle — identified as Bennie Charles DeLoach Jr. and Leonard L. Pleasant — were taken into custody, and later transported to Andalusia Regional Hospital where they were treated and released.
The occupants of the Sheriff’s Department vehicle, Deputy Kevin Wise and Sheriff’s Posse Member Joe Barton, were uninjured.
Deloach, 21, is charged with felony attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of attempted murder. He was booked into the county jail under a $1,619,000 bond.
Pleasant, 21, who gave officers two different last names, faces similar charges with the exception of driving violations. He was also charged with giving false information to a law enforcement officer and was placed in the county jail under a $1,578,000 bond.
A subsequent search of the area near the river bridge in Gantt yielded several packages of suspected marijuana and cocaine, Bowlan said.
“This incident was serious in nature, first off, that it was reported that the suspects approached and attempted to sell drugs to young adults on the square,” Bowlan said. “Thankfully, the young adults acted quickly and contacted the police department about the encounter.
“This demonstrates the willingness of our youth to make the right choice and to care enough about their peers to report such activity,” he said. “We should all use this example set by the youngsters and get involved. Often times people think, ‘It’s none of my business’ or ‘I’m not going to get involved.’
“The community belongs to us all and we should all take measures to protect it,” he said.
Comments
Posted by dusty18 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 6:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who ever called the police should be given a reward. It sounds like the law was not going to let these punks get away. GOOD JOB! Glad none were hurt not counting the dealers - and they DONT COUNT!
Posted by lulubell (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let us all be glad no one was seriously hurt in this incident. Thank God no one was. I personally would like to thank the young adults that alerted the police on this matter. Had it not been for them, the police department would have not known what was going on at the beautiful downtown square. I know that the square is full on Friday nights and Saturday nights this just goes to show us older folks that not all of them that hang are bad news. They need a big parking lot somewhere in our city that they could park in and be able to talk with their friends and what they now say is just hanging with my friends. These young adults are our city's future please can't someone help them get a place that they can call their hanging spot!!!
Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i always thought the city should've done something with food world
congrats to our young adults!
Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a breath of fresh air to know that there are young adults that do care what;s going on around them, and have the sense to alert law enforcement on issues such as this! Good job guys, all of you, law enforcement, concerned citizens...we are proud of yall! Get them dealers off the streets and in the jail where they belong!
Posted by proudamerican (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to the sheriffs and police officers who did such an outstanding job putting these thugs in jail. Let's hope they stay there. I appreciate our officers being willing to stay with them until they had them in custody. Too many times now, all the lawbreakers have to do is run and they get away, only to do their dirty deeds again.
While I am at it, thanks to all of our public safety officers who put their lives on the line every day so that we can be safe...sheriffs office, police, ABC, marine, conservation, EMS/Rescue, fire, and the many volunteers who work with them. If you noticed, one of the officers in the wreck was a reserve who was volunteering his time to help keep us safe. Thanks to you all!
Posted by pathenley (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is good to hear positive comments about our young folks, AND our law officers. Yes, we are proud of the young folks taking a stand to protect themselves by reporting these drug dealers! I also know the young folks need an area they can "gather" in safty, this is a problem that started years ago... With all the improvements seen in our city, I put faith in those who have the influence over such- to start drawing up plans for this safe place , that is protected with a couple of security officers roaming the site--inside and outside . I agree with a comment made earlier,the old Food World building is large enough for an arcade, snack bar,bumper cars, skating rink, and maybe a section for younger kids( 10 and under). With investers and grants , a dream such as this I have spoken of - might be a solution to our young folks not having a place of "their on ".... Just my thoughts, I know there are others with ideas.. If you have a teenager in your house, hug them, tell them you love them and you are proud of them for being responsible . Encourage them to talk with their friends, giving them encouragement for this year to be the one where they "Say No To Drugs"... Have a Blest Day
Posted by canon09 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The old Food World building is currently occupied by Burke's. The Food World building was the perfect place for our children to have a YMCA. A YMCA here in Andalusia would be wonderful for our children.
Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember that this, the YMCA, was proposed in the prior admin of Jerry Andrews and the study was approved...yet, it was put on hold for this admin's study...guess what? in Mayor Johnson's former admin, the ballet, the VALA, and the same one's now in control put forth the same proposal that Johnson now supports, but, he, at that time, pited the supporters against each other...believe me, I was sitting in his office when he stated this...now, all this was started in the Andrews admin and now, Johnson wants the spot-lite...guess what, I have documented minutes from the meetings and will make them known when he claims the glory that belongs to Meryanne Murphy and Susan Gantt.
Now, money controls the set-up, but, I feel that maybe Meryanne can bridge the gape. Maybe I'm wrong. Just try me...OUTLAW
Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, by the way, outstanding effort on the part of the young adults and the responding officers...glad no-one got hurt.
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are some darn GOOD KID'S in Covington County.. as well as.. our underpaid Officer's whos lives are always in danger More and more thug's will surely come to our small town sooner or later Sooo, get the YMCA going and give OUR Officer's a RAISE. They are worth it!! Many thank's and God Bless.
Posted by Blondie2 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Job Teanagers in Covington County. Also cograts to the Law enforsement as well, great job. Outlaw you are right about Johnson. He is trying to take credit for a lot the Andrews Admin was trying to put into place. Andalusia will regret putting him back into office.
Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
YMCA doesn't have to be the organization behind a youth center. The City of Daphne down south did this on their own several years ago with an old WalMart. We have a great parks and recreation department who could organize something and possibly get some help and ideas from other small communities who have had success with youth centers. Don't forget about church youth and recreation buildings.
Please don't get on the "if its better in Daphne, move there kick". I want Andalusia to be the #1 community in the area.
To all who post, I'm not an English teacher and have made posting mistakes also, but please check your spelling. Lots of very good, informative messages are "lost in translation" due to simple grammar errors. Ms. Grundy is probably watching!!
Posted by dusty18 (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hang with me Mrs.Grundy. It doesnt have to be a big building or a huge parking lot. If none are available that is no reason to put it on the back burner. Hell give the young folks something. Even if its a patch of dirt. I am sure you will get some people to give some time and material to put something up for our young"future leaders" Just show them that we do hear them - we do care. We cant keep blowing them off. There are way too many other paths that they can choose. This would be a GREAT project for the Andalusia Star to kickoff with a WHAT WE NEED story
Posted by Luckie1942 (anonymous) on October 12, 2009 at 2:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is wrong with the kids being on the square, they are in full view, close to the Police station, a great place for them to be. After 5pm on Friday and Saturday evenings what else is there on the square.
Posted by rutherfords_1 (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thugg....first of all, I don't think anyone would be fooled into thinking you are an English teacher....and I think personally, that Ms. Grundy needs to get a life. Kinda embarassing to the whole county to even publish that little section, but then I guess there are "those" who enjoy reading the small town "Mayberry" happenings....hmmm....uhhhh...yawning now
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