The Anniston Police Department worked with multiple agencies to arrest eight individuals in connection with reports of homes and vehicles being struck by gunfire.
Javon Williams, Zavion Lunch, Jaterius Groce, Victoria Pope, Deorderick Searcy, Travis Turner, Zyquan Ackles and Darnell Thomas, Jr., are all facing charges.
Investigators attempted to stop a vehicle on April 4. The officer spotted the vehicle at the intersection of Rocky Hollow Road and Christine Avenue and believed persons of interest were inside. The driver refused to stop, leading police on a chase.
Lynch, 18, of Anniston, is accused of bailing from the vehicle during the pursuit. He was taken into custody and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and second-degree receiving stolen property.
During the chase, an AR-15 pistol was tossed from the vehicle and recovered.
The chase ended at the intersection of McCoy Avenue and W. 23rd Street.
The driver, Williams, 21, of Jacksonville, was arrested and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and second-degree receiving stolen property.
A passenger, Groce, 21, of Anniston, was arrested and charged with second-degree receiving stolen property and reckless endangerment. Authorities determined Groce negligently discharged a firearm inside the vehicle during the pursuit.
On April 7, Anniston officers, along with the 7th Judicial Major Crimes Unit, Alabama Probation and Parole, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant in the 1500 block of McCall Drive in Anniston.
The warrant led to the recovery of illegal drugs and six firearms, including a stolen firearm and a firearm equipped with a machine gun conversion device.
During the raid, agents arrested Pope, 45, of Anniston, for certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm; Searcy, 21, of Anniston, for first-degree possession of marijuana; and Turner, 22, of Anniston, for certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm.
Further investigation led to the arrests of Ackles for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and Thomas for possession of a controlled substance, obstructing justice using a false ID and outstanding warrants for fraudulent use of a credit card, probation violation and failure to appear. Another stolen firearm was recovered in that operation, which was conducted in the 700 block of E 22nd Street.
“These operations were conducted with a high level of coordination and professionalism and would not have been possible without the combined efforts of all agencies involved,” said Capt. Brett Lloyd. “Let this operation serve as a clear message: violent crime and illegal firearms activity will not be tolerated in the City of Anniston. If you choose to commit crimes in our community, we will identify you, we will locate you, and you will be held accountable.”
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
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