BAY MINETTE, Alabama — One suspect is in custody and police are seeking another after a vehicle reported stolen Thursday in Bay Minette was involved in a crash in Stapleton.
According to a release issued Friday by the Bay Minette Police Department, Henry Martin Honeycutt of Empire was arrested and warrants have been issued for James Fred Hillburn of Pinson. The two suspects reportedly fled on foot after a vehicle reported stolen Thursday in Bay Minette was involved in a crash in the Stapleton area.
According to the release issued by Chief Al Tolbert, Bay Minette Police responded to 303 U.S. 31 S. (Circle K Gas Station) on Thursday in Bay Minette for the report of a stolen car. The victim reported their vehicle (2009 Grey Ford Fushion) had been stolen while inside the store purchasing items.
While officers were on scene at the Circle K, they received reports that the stolen vehicle had been involved in a crash in the Stapleton area, near Alabama 59 and Vinson Lane.
Units responded to the scene and witnesses told officers that two white males fled from the vehicle after the crash on foot. Through surveillance footage obtained at the Circle K, officers were able to identify the two suspects Honeycutt and Hillburn.
Bay Minette Police, along with Baldwin County Sheriff Deputies and Loxley Police searched in the area of the crash site for the two suspects. Honeycutt was located at the Shell Gas Station on Alabama 59 in Stapleton just a short distance from the crash site and arrested.
While attempting to locate the two suspects officers discovered a concrete truck in the ditch at the business of American Concrete. It is believed that the two suspects attempted to steal the concrete truck after crashing the stolen vehicle from the Circle K in Bay Minette. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attempted vehicle theft and damage done at American Concrete.
Honeycutt was arrested at the Stapleton Shell Gas Station and transported to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Correction Center for the charge of theft of a motor vehicle. He is currently in jail on a no bond.
Warrants for the arrest of Hillburn are active for theft of a motor vehicle and law enforcement officers are currently seeking information of his whereabouts. Both Hillburn and Honeycutt have extensive criminal histories related to theft and drug possession.
Anyone with information regarding Hillburn’s whereabouts can call the Bay Minette Police Department at 251-580-2559 or email their information to tips@ci.bay-minette.al.us.
