Press Release on Murder-Suicide on Wednesday

On March 6, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a shooting in the 900 block of East Bunche Street. The first patrol officers arrived on scene within three minutes of being dispatched. When the first officer arrived, he located a female victim in the front yard of the residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. According to eyewitnesses, the suspect of the shooting was observed running into the residence. While officers set up a perimeter around the residence, Dothan Fire Department Paramedics checked on the victim and determined she was deceased. Dothan High School was placed on soft lockdown until the situation could be resolved.

As officers had the residence surrounded, Crisis Negotiators arrived on scene and began trying to make contact with the suspect, who was believed to possibly be inside the residence. After about an hour with no contact, the Special Response Team forced open the front door. The Bomb and Explosive Detection Team utilized their robot to enter the residence. With a camera on the robot, team members were able to observe a male matching the suspect’s description in the residence who appeared to be deceased. The suspect was confirmed dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers entered.

The victim was identified as Reinetta Ann Lewis (62). The suspect was identified as her ex-husband, Ansel Lewis (67). The motive for the murder appears to be domestic. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family during this difficult time.

Further inquiries about the case can be forwarded to Lt. Owens.

Registered Sex Offender Arrested for Sex Crime

In December 2023, Dothan Investigators were notified that a victim disclosed to a mandatory reporter that the suspect, Thomas Thiel Jr., had inappropriate sexual contact with the victim.  The mandatory reporter notified Dothan Police and started an investigation.  As a result of the investigation, investigators gathered enough information to charge Thiel with one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12 Years Old.  The offense occurred between August 2019 and August 2020.  Thiel was arrested in the early morning hours of March 6, 2024, since he was a registered sex offender in Dothan.  Thiel’s bond has been set at $30,000, and he was placed in the Houston County Jail.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, no further information will be released.

Thomas Michael Thiel Jr- Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12, $30,000 bond

Dothan Police Arrest Man on Warrant for Accessory to Murder in Florida

On March 4, 2024, investigators from the West Palm Beach Police Department in Florida contacted Dothan Police investigators requesting assistance on an investigation.  According to Florida authorities, Eric Robinson, who was living in Dothan, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder with a Firearm.  Investigators, after finding an address for Robinson, immediately went to set up surveillance on the residence.

After a period of time, Robinson was observed leaving the residence and going to a vehicle.  Robinson was confronted by police and was arrested without incident.  Robinson is being held on a Fugitive Warrant in Alabama with no bond while he waits for extradition to West Palm Beach.

Any further inquiries on the case should be directed to West Palm Beach Police Department.

Eric Robinson- Fugitive from Justice (Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder with a Firearm in FL), No bond.

Did you know? Internet Purchase Exchange Location at Dothan Police Department

Have you purchased something on the internet and want to find a safe place to meet the seller?  The Dothan Police Department has a place to do just that.

The Department has a designated space in front of the police department for internet purchase exchanges.  This designated space is under video surveillance as an extra safety precaution at any hour of the day or night.

The idea is to make these exchanges safer for the Wiregrass community, so they do not have to meet at a random location chosen by someone they do not know.  However, the Dothan Police Department is not responsible in any way for the value, authenticity or legitimacy of any transaction.  We are simply providing a safer space.  Check out the information sheet below.

Internet Purchase Exchange Info Sheet

Dothan Man Arrested in 22-Year-Old Murder Case

On December 30, 2001, Sharon Mills, then 49 years old, went missing in Dothan.  Sharon was officially reported missing by her husband, Dwight Mills.  A month after she was reported missing, Sharon’s body was found across the Florida State line in Holmes County.  Dothan Investigators were notified and continued their investigation into her death.  When all leads had been exhausted in the case, the investigation stalled.

In a periodic review of the old case file, new information on the case was uncovered, which led investigators to reinvestigate all aspects of the case.  With fresh eyes, current investigators worked new and old leads, tips, and processed several pieces of evidence to solve the case.  As a result, investigators developed enough information to obtain a warrant of arrest for Dwight Mills in connection with the murder of Sharon Mills.

On February 26, 2024, Investigators from the Dothan Police Department and members of the United States Marshal Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Dwight Morgan Mills (69) of Dothan for Murder and Abuse of a Corpse in the death of Sharon Mills.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Marshal’s Service for their assistance in the investigation and arrest.

What are commonly referred to as “cold cases” are always on the minds of police investigators.  No murder case is ever “closed”, and the Dothan Police Department will always proceed forward in the prosecution of a case, no matter how much time has passed.  Investigators have recently reviewed other “cold cases” and are actively working on them.  We will do everything we can to bring closure to families and perpetrators to justice.  If you have information on a case, we encourage you to bring that to our attention.

Dwight Morgan Mills (69) of Dothan, Murder and Abuse of a Corpse- $1,510,000 bond

Dothan Woman Arrested for Willful Child Abuse by Investigators

On February 14, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a child with injuries to the head and face from a local doctor’s office.  Investigators were called and began looking into how the injuries were caused.  After the investigation, Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit arrested and charged Olivia Loupe with one count of Willful Child Abuse.  Loupe was transported to the Houston County Jail with a $15,000 bond.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, no further information will be released.

Olivia Rose Loupe, Willful Child Abuse- $15,000 bond

Dothan Woman Charged with Willful Child Abuse

On February 8, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a minor under the age of 18 who was observed with injuries to the face and legs.  As a result of the investigation, the Special Investigations Unit charged Kasheca Carter (40) of Dothan with one count of Willful Child Abuse.  Carter was determined to be the responsible party of the minor.  Carter was transported to the Houston County Jail with a bond of $15,000.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, we are unable to comment further on the investigation.

Kasheca Carter (40), Willful Child Abuse- $15,000 bond

Are Golf Carts “Street Legal”? Find Out Right Here

The Dothan Police Department gets several calls about golf carts and other similar vehicles on the roadway every year.  The rules for these vehicles can be confusing for both those driving and those having to maneuver around them.  We have developed an information sheet to help our citizens out.  These items are what makes golf carts “street legal” or not.  This post is also available on the Dothan Police Department app.

Golf Cart and LSV information sheet-1

Dothan Man Arrested for Sex Crimes

On 12/19/2023, Dothan Police Special Investigations Unit arrested Joshua Kelly Jackson (34) of Dothan for one count of Rape Second Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse Second Degree.  As the investigation progressed it was determined that additional charges were warranted.  Jackson was charged with committing four (4) counts of Incest and one (1) count of Production of Pornography with a minor.  Jackson has been booked into the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no other details will be released.

Joshua Kelly Jackson (34), One Count Production of Pornography with a Minor and four counts of Incest- No Bond

Robber Gets More Than Property After Victim Pulls Her Own Firearm

On January 27, 2024, Dothan Patrol Officers responded to the report of a robbery and shots fired in the 2900 block of Ross Clark Circle.  After interviewing the victim and witnesses, it was determined that the victim came into contact with the suspect, identified as Bre’Yaun Vickers.  Vickers approached the victim asking for help with his phone.  As the victim and Vickers were walking, Vickers pulled out a firearm and demanded the victim’s property.  Vickers forcefully snatched the victim’s purse off her shoulder.  The victim, a lawful gun owner, pulled her own firearm to defend herself.  The victim fired one round at the suspect but missed him.  Vickers dropped the purse and ran away.  Vickers was located by responding officers and was reaching for his pockets.  After being given commands by the officer, Vickers followed officer’s orders and was taken into custody.  Officers located what appeared to be a firearm near where Vickers was taken into custody.  The firearm turned out to be a bb gun.  Vickers was arrested and charged with Robbery 1st degree.

Bre’yaun Jasiyah Vickers (20), Robbery 1st Degree- $60,000 bond
Copyright © 2017-25 City of Dothan, Alabama