Cheltsie Holbrook cheltsie@greenepublishing.com
On Saturday, June 18, at approximately 5:07 p.m. Madison County dispatchers received a call regarding the recovery of two possible kidnapping victims.
According to a Madison Police Department (MPD) report, the informant told Madison County dispatchers that a white male had dropped two juveniles off at Family Dollar, located at 244 W Base St., in Madison and then fled on foot running eastbound towards Washington Avenue.
MPD Patrolman Joshua Akins observed a white male matching the description running eastbound on Washington Avenue. Patrolman Akins pulled over, exited his vehicle and began to chase after the suspect. After giving verbal commands to stop, Patrolman Akins deployed his department-issued taser and was able to gain control over the fleeing suspect.
The suspect was identified as Jacob Alexander White, 23, of Tampa, Fla. MPD Patrolwoman Rebecca Garner then arrived on scene to assist. After calling in White's information to dispatch, Patrolwoman Garner was advised that White possessed an active warrant out of Pinellas County.
After White was put into custody, Patrolman Akins went back to Family Dollar to collect more information and made contact with Tina Willoughby. Willoughby stated two white females had come up to her and said they had been kidnapped. After talking with Willoughby, Patrolman Akins and Patrolwoman Garner approached the two juveniles, who were by the clothing department, upset and crying. Patrolwoman Garner informed the juveniles she would transport them to the MPD where they could wait in a safe place for their families to arrive. At this time, both juveniles began hysterically crying and informed the officers they were scared of White due to him telling the juveniles that he was “on the run for killing someone.” Patrolwoman Garner explained to the juveniles that White was in custody and they would be safe at the department. The juveniles agreed to be transported to the MPD until family members could arrive.
White was arrested for an out of county warrant (Pinellas County), contributing to the delinquency of a minor (two counts) and resisting an officer with violence. He was transported to the Madison County Jail.