FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – Florence Police continue to check leads in an armed robbery that happened in the Hobby Lobby parking lot last night on Florence Boulevard.

According to investigators, the robbery happened just after 7:30 p.m. as a woman was walking to her car.

Police say the man was wearing a dark hoodie and grabbed the woman’s purse and pushed a gun into her back.

Police believe the man left in a dark-colored car, possibly maroon.  The vehicle didn’t have a tag.

If you have any information on this robbery, please call the Shoals Area CrimeStoppers Tip Line at (256) 386-8685.

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – A car pulls up to the cash spot in downtown Russellville last week, but it fails to stop in a parking place and smacks right into the building. After backing up, the driver hops out. Russellville police say a woman walks into the business to use the ATM. She is now wanted for leaving the scene of an accident and criminal mischief. If you have any information on this woman contact police.

We start off this week’s most wanted list with the Russellville police department.
First up is Omar Juarez. Authorities in Russellville want Juarez for using a false identity to obstruct justice.
Up next is Robert Shears. Shears is wanted for possession of a forged instrument.
Last on this week’s most wanted list is Melissa Green. Green is also wanted for possession of a forged instrument.

If you have any information that can help authorities catch any of the men and women in this report call the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line.Your call is anonymous and could get you a cash reward. Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line: 256-386-8685.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – The mystery continues.  Lauderdale County investigators are still searching for the person who shot and killed 62-year-old Royce Varnell. Detectives are trying to narrow down their list of possible killers. Deputies found his body in his Anderson home in April. The chief investigator has a list of least a dozen people who spoke with Varnell in the days before his death. Investigators believe he may have been part of a meth ring. If you have any information that can help investigators solve this case, contact the Lauderdale County’s district attorney’s office.

We start off this week’s most wanted list with the Lauderdale’s District Attorney’s office. Authorities want everyone on our list for writing worthless checks.

First is Melissa Tucker. Tucker owes the office more than 300 dollars.

Up next is Paul Mason. Mason owes almost 2 thousand dollars.

And last on this week’s most wanted list is Anthony Bigby. Bigby owes more than 200 dollars.

TOWN CREEK, Ala. (WHNT) – Lawrence County authorities hope surveillance video can help catch a convenience store robber. Town creek police say the man you see in this video walked into the shell gas station on highway 20, last Wednesday.  The man was armed and demanded money from the clerk.   If you have any information about this man, you’re asked to contact authorities.
We start off this week’s most wanted list with the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office.

First up is Kenny Lee Abbott. Abbott is charged with theft of property.

Up next is Charlotte Campbell. Campbell is wanted for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

Last on this week’s list is Lequanso Unice Belue. Belue is wanted for possession of a controlled substance.

If you have any information that can help authorities catch anyone that has been featured in this report, call the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line. Your call is anonymous and could get you a cash reward. Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line: 256-386-8685.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT / Shoals Area Crime Stoppers) – More than a thousand dollars in reward money is being offered for the tip which leads to the arrest of those responsible for vandalizing a construction site in Florence.

It happened at the site of a multimillion dollar building going up on the University of North Alabama campus.

Campus police say the vandalism was discovered Thursday morning at the site of the new Science and Technology building near Pine Street.

Police say someone used red spray paint to tag several areas on the buildings exterior and interior.

According to university officials, the damage could cost any where from $5,000 to $50,000 to repair.

The university is offering $1,000 of their own funds to solicit tips on who painted the graffiti.

Russellville Police are looking for three people who are wanted on grand jury indictments.

Topping the list is Gary Kiser Harrison. He has 8 arrest warrants for attempting to commit a controlled substance crime.

Julie Hawk Hudson has arrest warrants issued on her behalf for fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a forged instrument.

The last person to have an arrest warrant on this weeks most wanted list is Judson Clark.

He’s wanted by Russellville Police for fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a forged instrument.

An anonymous call to the shoals area crime stoppers tip line at 256-386-8685 could put some money in your pocket.

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (WHNT/Shoals Area Crime Stoppers) – In this week’s Shoals Area Crime Stoppers report, officers are still trying to locate a trigger happy burglar who never got away with anything in his pockets.

Police say he shot up two ATM’s and needs to be caught.

It may have been a few weeks since this masked bandit fired shots into two separate ATM’s in the city of Russellville, but police are still actively searching for him.

According to investigators, the suspect fired three shots into the ATM at Community Spirit Bank at the end of June.

Police say he struck a week later at the Listerhill Credit Union, shooting that ATM twice before leaving empty handed.

Russellville police say even though he was unsuccessful, he is still facing a host of charges.

Aaron Wilbur Hooper

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Department is searching for Aaron Wilbur Hooper in this week’s most wanted.

Hooper has an arrest warrant for burglary 2^nd degree.

Thomas Oneal Grissom

The sheriff’s department is also on the look-out for Thomas Oneal Grissom for burglary.

Tonya Nicole Ingram

Finally in this week’s most wanted, Colbert County deputies have two warrants for forgery on Tonya Nicole Ingram.

Give the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line an anonymous call if you have information that could lead to the arrest of any of these people.

256-386-8685 could put some cash in your pocket.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – Police are looking for the person who robbed Alabama Central Credit Union on Monday.

The robbery happened around 11:30 a.m. at the credit union location at Rickwood Road and Bruin Drive.  Florence High School and Freshman Center are on precautionary lockdown while police look for the suspect in the area.

The suspect, a black male, was wearing a blue jacket and blue hat.  Witnesses say he was about 6 feet tall with a slim build.   Police say the man stole a vehicle before robbing the bank, then drove away in the car but ditched it a short distance from the bank.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance video and looking for the suspect.

If you have any information, please call Florence Police at (256) 760-6500.  You can also call the Shoals Area CrimeStoppers Tip Line at (256) 386-8685.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – Police say numerous guns are on the streets after an overnight home invasion in the city.

Shotguns, pistols, and long rifles were all taken by a masked man at gunpoint and investigators need your help locating the robber.

What looks like a quiet street during the day, was anything but that inside one of the homes on South Crown Street a few hours earlier.

Florence police say at 12:45 Tuesday morning, one of the residents had a few friends over when a man walked in unannounced.

“Male walked in wearing a mask and holding a revolver came into the room and started demanding to give all of his stuff to him,” explained Sgt. Cliff Billingsley with Florence Police Department.

Billingsley says the assailant started collecting the man’s guns and rifles and placing them in a bed sheet.

Investigators said the robber then struck the home owner with a pistol when he couldn’t give him other things he was demanding.

“Not only did he bring a weapon to the robbery, he took away at least five or six weapons with him which are now going to be on the streets and there’s no telling where they will end up,” stated Billingsley.

Authorities believe the victim was targeted before the home invasion, and are following leads in the case.

Florence police say the robber left in a silver Chevrolet Impala and believe a second male was with the robber.

If you have any information that could help police, call the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line at 256-386-8685.

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WHNT / Shoals Area Crime Stoppers) – Muscle Shoals police don’t have his name, but they do have his picture on file.

Wanted by Muscle Shoals Police Department

Investigators say this man broke into a business earlier this month and believe someone may recognize him.

Police say he stole several power tools and copper wiring.

Wanted by the Colbert County District Attorney’s Office

The Colbert County District Attorney’s Office is searching for this man.

Again, no name, but they believe someone will recognize him.

Investigators say he has been passing counterfeit money at several businesses across Colbert County for a few weeks now.

Recognize any of these people?

Call the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line at 256-386-8685.

All anonymous tips are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

TOWN CREEK, Ala. (WHNT / Shoals Area Crime Stoppers) – Authorities continue their search for the man responsible for robbing a convenience store in August.

Police say they have interviewed several people, but still need a solid tip to bring the man to justice.

Store owners put in surveillance cameras to help catch the crooks which bring havoc to their stores.

The Town Creek Police Department hopes the man seen robbing the Shell Gas Station on Highway 20 can be identified.

Police say he walked in on Wednesday night just before closing and robbed the two clerks.

According to investigators, the perpetrator showed a gun during the robbery, making this an even more serious crime.

The tape shows him in the store for just 20 seconds, but police think it’s enough time for you to identify him.

David Quinby

Tonight’s Most Wanted comes from the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office.

David Quinby has failed to pay more than $16,000 in restitution for 80-worthless checks.

Benjamin Owen Young

Investigators say Benjamin Owen Young is wanted for owing more than $12,000 in District and Traffic Court fines.

Tabatha Annette Wilson

And the district attorney’s office wants Tabatha Annette Wilson to pay up for more than $7,000 in fines the District Court ordered her to pay.

Can you help police locate any of these people?

Give an anonymous call to the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line at 256-386-8685.

Your call could be worth up to $1,000 in reward money.

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WHNT) – Police are searching for the man who walked onto a car dealership after-hours and drove off with a new ride.

Surveillance cameras caught the theft and investigators hope you can help identify the thief.

In the early morning hours of September 9, Muscle Shoals Police said a man walked onto the car lot of Auto-Credit on Woodward Avenue and took a vehicle.

Police say one bizarre thing the man did was put a car tag on the white 2006 Chevy Tahoe before leaving.

After installing the tag, the man walked to the driver’s door and got right inside.  

It’s believed he may have had a key because he started it right up and drove off.

It took less than one minute from the time he walked on the lot until he was pulling away.

A Franklin County grand jury has been busy handing down indictments.

Michael Shane Williams

Russellville Police have arrest warrants for Michael Shane Williams. He is wanted for theft by fraudulent leasing.

Allen Clay Ward

Allen Clay Ward is also wanted by Russellville police on a grand jury indictment for theft of property.

Gary Lamar Vess

An indictment for theft of property and possession of a forged instrument has been handed down on Gary Lamar Vess.

The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line is open and waiting for your tips on any of these people featured.

The call is anonymous and worth up to $1,000 in cash.

Call (256) 386-8685.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT / Shoals Area Crime Stoppers) – The investigation continues into the death of an elderly woman who was struck by a vehicle last Wednesday morning in Lauderdale County.

According to law enforcement, the driver of the vehicle who struck the woman has still not been found.

Alabama State Troopers say 71-year-old Wilma Darlene Carles was crossing Alabama 20 near the Tennessee state line when she was struck by an on-coming vehicle.

Sheriff’s deputies say Carles likely slipped and fell on gravel, and was on all fours when she was hit.

The incident happened just after 8 a.m. in front of D&R Hardware.

Authorities said they are not ruling out the fact that the driver may have not seen Carles, or may have even mistaken her for an animal.

With no eyewitnesses, troopers and deputies are asking for the public’s help.

Michelle Renee Taylor

Russellville police pick up this week’s Shoals Area’s Most Wanted.

First on the list, Michelle Renee Taylor is wanted by police on a grand jury indictment for criminal mischief 2nd degree.

Georgia Marie Vernon

Georgia Marie Vernon is next. She’s wanted by Russellville police on a grand jury indictment for possession of marijuana and using a false identity to obstruct justice.

Kory Mendis Suggs

Finally, Kory Mendis Suggs is wanted on a grand jury indictment for domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation and domestic violence 3^rd.

The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line is now open at (256)386-8685 and waiting for your tips on any of these people featured.

The call is anonymous and worth up to $1,000 in cash.

*The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers Board of Directors issued two rewards this week totaling $450. The first was a tip to Russellville police for the arrest of Lamar Phillips. A second reward was issued for helping Russellville police in locating Gary Vess, who was featured in a previous Shoals Area Crime Stoppers report.*

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – University of North Alabama officials need your help to find the person responsible for a death threat that prompted officials to shut down the campus Thursday.

UNA was not open to students, faculty or some staff on Thursday. Campus will remain closed Friday for fall break.

Campus officials shut down the campus after someone made a death threat on the wall of a men’s bathroom in Collier Library on September 26. According to campus Police Chief Bob Pastula, the threat said, “Four people will die on October 9 this year.”

UNA officials and leaders wanted to make clear they take death threats very seriously. However, they have yet to find the person responsible.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department is looking for this week’s most wanted.​

Tyler Kane Ivey is wanted for second degree theft of property.

Joel Antonio Garner has a warrant out for his arrest. Garner is wanted by the Sheriff’s Department for failure to pay child support.

Michael Shane Williams is wanted by Russellville Police on a grand jury indictment for theft by fraudulent leasing.

The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line is open and waiting for your tips on any of these people featured.

The call is anonymous and worth to a $1,000 cash reward.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Shoals Area CrimeStoppers organization is cancelling the sixth annual Cooking for Justice fundraiser scheduled for next Thursday, Oct 24 at the Florence Coliseum.

The event is being cancelled due to a lack of cooking teams.

Organizers are working to contact teams who had signed up to let them know the event will not take place.

Shoals Area CrimeStoppers is a local non-profit organization that operates on donations from individuals and local businesses. The organization works with law enforcement to fight crime.

Joshua Lynn Balentine (Photo: Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office)

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – According to sheriff’s investigators, a Lauderdale County man has confessed to the April 2014 murder of a crippled man inside his Anderson mobile home.

Earlier this week, deputies were called to the Alcorn County Jail because an inmate there needed to get something off his chest.

No stone has gone unturned in the murder case of 62-year-old Royce Varnell, who was found beaten to death on April 7^th inside his county road 511 mobile home.

Chief Investigator Travis Clemmons says at one point there were more than 30-suspects, all people who frequented a near-by drug house.

“I know, I think we made 15 arrests from that actual area since then, and all of these people were suspects,” Clemmons explained.

On Monday Clemmons received a call from authorities in Mississippi saying one of the suspects, 29-year-old Joshua Lynn Balentine, needed to talk with them.

Clemmons says Balentine had been a suspect through-out the investigation, and had already been interviewed once before at the Alcorn County Jail.

He believes the weight of Balentine’s crime got to him.

“He told us that he did commit the murder, and told us in very detail how he committed the murder,” said Clemmons.

With the confession came the charge of murder.

Investigators say Balentine admitted to using a hammer to beat Varnell to death.

But say they are with-holding further details while the investigation continues.

Joshua Lynn Balentine remains jailed in Alcorn County on unrelated felonies while authorities start the extradition process.

Investigators believe additional arrests could be made for helping cover up the murder.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT / Shoals Area Crime Stoppers) – Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Some books leave us free and some books make us free.”

While that may stand true, this man (pictured) may not be free for very much longer.

Surveillance cameras caught this book worm concealing novels down his pants at Books-A-Million in Florence.

Investigators say he walked into the store twice on October 2nd, and walked out with just under $300 worth of books.

Florence police say they need the public’s help in identifying the alleged shoplifter.

Leighton police begin have three of this week’s Shoals Area Most Wanted.

Eric Albert Weimar

They say 34-year-old Eric Albert Weimar has failure to appear warrants on charges of domestic violence and criminal trespass.

Bernadeen Michelle Bolding

Leighton police are also looking for Bernadeen Michelle Bolding. She’s 35 and has a warrant for giving false information to law enforcement.

Darius Marquise Freeman

22-year-old Darius Marquise Freeman is wanted by Leighton police for possession of marijuana, illegal possession of prescription meds, and to top it off, driving while his license was revoked.

Trevor Smith

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Department is searching for Trevor Smith. According to deputies he has warrants for burglary and theft of property.

Recognize any of these folks?

The phone lines are now open for you to give the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers an anonymous tip.

It could be worth up to $1,000 if the call leads to an arrest.

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WHNT) – Muscle Shoals Police need your help identifying some men who are responsible for a car shop theft.

It’s a case long gone unsolved. Owners of Holt’s Radiator and Batteries said two men took off with expensive equipment about six months ago.

They provided WHNT News 19 and investigators with surveillance video from May. That video shows two men pulling up to the shop late at night with a truck and trailer.

The men loaded up two rear-ends, worth about $3,000. Then, they drove away.

Shop owners hope you might recognize the men or the even the trucks involved in this burglary.

The Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office is looking for this week’s most wanted.

First on the list, Darren Balnetine. Authorities want him for writing $1,055 in worthless checks.

Next up, Tony Lance. He’s accused of racking up $1,541.21 in worthless checks.

The Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office also wants Melanie Reyes for over $1,500 in worthless checks and district court cases.

The Shoals Area Crimestoppers tip line is open and waiting for your tips on any of the people featured here.

The call is anonymous and worth up to $1,000 in cash.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) –  Investigators with the Florence Police Department need your help finding a thief.

A man in Florence is accused of stealing checks, then cashing them in at a few Walmarts in the area.

Investigators released surveillance video of the man they say stole checks from a Florence man’s Jeep, then took them to two stores. First, they said the man went to the Walmart on Hughes Road in September wearing a red hat. Then, investigators believe the same man cached a stolen check at the Walmart on Cloverdale Road wearing a bright yellow shirt and camouflage hat.

Alleged thief leaving Hughes Road Walmart

Alleged thief entering Cloverdale Road Walmart

If you recognize the man, contact the Florence Police Department at 760-6500.

Russellville Police are looking for some of this weeks most wanted.

Christina Watson is wanted for False Reporting to Law Enforcement.

Russellville Police are also looking for Alfred Burgess Jr. He’s wanted for Second Degree Assault.

Larry Nash Creekmore is also on their ‘most wanted list’. He’s is wanted for Domestic Violence Strangulation or Suffocation and Third Degree Domestic Violence.

The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line is open for your tips at 386-8685.

The call is anonymous and worth up to $1,000 in cash.

TUSCUMBIA, Ala. (WHNT)  – Tuscumbia Police are looking for two men who broke into two businesses in one night.

Investigators have surveillance video from the night of Oct. 26. Those videos show two instances of vandalism and one theft.

A man broke through the door of the Chevron gas station on Dickson and 6th St.  Video shows him jumping behind the counter and leaving with a tray full of cash. Investigators say it was $104.

Less than an hour later, video shows a man trying to break into the Helen Keller Library. They are not sure if it is the same man, but he is wanted for criminal mischief and vandalism.

Russellville Police are looking for multiple people wanted on Grand Jury Indictments.

Rustie Michelle Kirkpatrick is wanted for four counts of Attempt to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime.

Investigators are also looking for Jimmy Ray Dotson Jr. He has a Grand Jury Indictment for Second Degree Theft of Property.

Larry Pardue is wanted for 8 counts of Attempt to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime.

The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line is open for your tips on any of the people featured. The number is (256) 386-8685.

The call is anonymous and worth to a $1,000 cash reward.

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Investigators with the Russellville Police Department said an alleged thief returned a stolen tablet to the owners.

The incident happened at Walmart on October 30th after a couple put the tablet down at an employment computer, and it was stolen. The person returned it to the owners Friday after watching the Crime Stoppers report. The couple will not press charges.

The Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office is looking for multiple criminals wanted for writing worthless checks and failing to pay court fees.

Joshua Goins owes almost $6,000 dollars in district court fees.

They are also looking for Miranda Dawn Barrett. She’s wanted for owing a combined $1,306 in worthless checks and court fees.

Nicholas Lenz is also wanted by the DA’s office for owing about $750 dollars in district court fees.

The Shoals Area Crime Stoppers tip line is waiting for your tips on any of these people. That number is (256) 386-8685.

The call is anonymous and worth to $1,000 in cash.