Hill charged in rash of vehicle break-ins

Local law enforcement officers from the Apalachicola Police Department along with the Franklin County Sheriff Office have made a key arrest in the rash of motor vehicle break-ins that has plagued the Apalachicola community for almost a year.

On the morning of Saturday, August 29 at approximately 11:00AM, Apalachicola Police Sgt. Chet Turner responded to a dispatch in reference to the break-in of three motor vehicles in the Apalachicola area.

After receiving a tip, Turner accompanied by Deputy Brett Johnson and Correctional Officer Brock Johnson both with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, searched, and found a number of items reported stolen during the break-ins inside the suspect’s Apalachicola residence.

After a failed attempt to locate the subject, officers issued a warrant for his immediate arrest.

According to Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes, the investigation pointed to 19-year-old Apalachicola resident Bobby Allen Hill, Jr., as the primary suspect behind the rash of break-ins.

Hill eluded capture until Friday, October 2, where he was discovered hiding behind some bushes at the site of the old ABC Charter School off Fred Meyer Street and arrested by Apalachicola Police Officer Timmy Davis.

Hill is now in custody at the Franklin County Jail located on State Road 65 in Eastpoint, awaiting trial and charged with burglary of a conveyance, grand theft-third degree, petit theft, and criminal mischief over $200.

If you have any information in this case or are a victim who has yet to report the crime, contact Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes at (850) 370-6050.

Photo taken from Hill’s MySpace page

A Letter of Commendation

On Saturday January 3, Sergeant John “Chet” Turner with the Apalachicola Police Department investigated a complaint of assault on a local individual by an unknown couple. An eyewitness reported that an African-American male along with a Hispanic female pulled a weapon on an individual and threatened his life.

After obtaining a statement from the eyewitness and retrieving the evidence, Sergeant Turner located and arrested both suspects and charged them with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. After the arrest, Turner learned that the suspects were members of a South Florida gang, both of which are now in custody at the Franklin County Jail awaiting trial.

Tuner began his career in law enforcement with the City of Apalachicola on October 14, 2005, since then he has made several key arrests after conducting thorough investigations.

Because of his commitment toward the call of duty, at the January 6 city commission meeting, I read the attached letter into the public record and instructed a copy be placed in Turner’s personnel file.

Attachment: Letter of Commendation

Mixon charged in Bank fire

Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes announced Thursday, Nov 2 the arrest of 43-year-old Joseph Mixon in connection with the Apalachicola Bank fire. On Saturday, Nov 15, Mixon slammed the seafood truck he was driving into the Apalachicola State Bank building causing an explosion and the subsequent fire that destroyed the historic structure.

Assisted by the State Attorney’s Office, the Apalachicola Police Department (APD) conducted an extensive investigation into the crash and on Thursday, Nov 20, the judge issued a warrant for Mixon arrest.

The Apalachicola Police Department charged Mixon with two counts of felony criminal mischief, and his bond was set at $250,000. If convicted, Mixon could face up to 10-years in prison and $10,000 in fines on the two counts brought by the APD. Under Florida law, criminal mischief resulting in property damage of $1,000 or more is punishable by up to 5-years in jail and/or $5,000 in fines.

The Franklin County Sheriff Office (FCSO) charged Mixon with one count of grand theft auto and a separate bond was set at $20,000.

Mixon could face even more charges in connection with the fire. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has an ongoing investigation into the crash and further charges may be forthcoming against Mr. Mixon by the FHP.

At this time all charges against Joseph Mixon are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Tragic Fire Hits Apalachicola

Residents of the City of Apalachicola arose this morning in the face of a tragic fire in the downtown commercial district. The Apalachicola Fire Department received a dispatch around 5:00 AM after a seafood truck traveling east on U.S. 98 at a high rate of speed slammed into the Apalachicola State Bank building and then exploded.

With assistance from fire departments throughout the county, volunteer firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control before the fire could spread. At this time, injuries to the driver of the vehicle are unknown.

Many thanks to the Harris Brothers and to the Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and St. George Island Volunteer Fire Departments for their dedication to the call of duty in providing the much-needed assistance to the City of Apalachicola.

To see footage of the fire, click the video below.

Footage & photos taken by Gail Johnson

Golf Cart Safety

It has been reported to me that an increased number of children are unsafely operating golf carts throughout the city, with some appearing to be under the age of sixteen, the legal age to operate a golf cart in Apalachicola.

I realize that as the price of gasoline continue to soar; golf carts have become the preferred method of transportation for many. However, with the privilege to operate a golf cart comes with it a responsibility to ensure there safe operation and compliance with state and local law. To avert a serious injury or fatality, I have instructed the Chief of Police to address this growing concern.

Please click the link below to review the requirements to operate a golf cart within the city limits of Apalachicola.

City Ordinance 2005-01

Commission Recognize Police Officer

At our July 8, regular scheduled meeting the City Council awarded Police Officer Anthony Croom, Jr., with a Valor award for his reported heroic actions on June 21, 2008. At that meeting, I read aloud an anonymous e-mail message received via the Apalachicola Police Department Crime Tip website. The author of the message praised Officer Croom for saving the lives of two families whose homes located at 115 7th Street had caught fire during a lighting storm. The anonymous author stated in part that Officer Croom was the first to arrive on scene and placed his life in danger to ensure the safety of the families who were inside their duplex home asleep while the structure were engulfed with smoke and flames.

As Mayor, I was not surprised by Anthony’s actions, he has always proved to be one of Apalachicola’s finest officers, and the citizens of this community owe him a debt of gratitude, I am very proud to have him as a member of our Police Force.

Anonymous Email Message

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