Police still looking for information on possible hit and run, missing fugitives

New Albany police are still seeking information on a possible hit and run that occurred downtown several weeks ago, and looking for two fugitives in unrelated cases.

On Friday, March 12, Bankhead Flower Shop owner Kevin Hinton was delivering flowers to the Union County Courthouse when some sort of accident occurred.

A police officer turned the corner from Main Street onto Camp Street and found Hinton lying in the edge of the street on the church side of the courthouse, injured.

The officer stopped, called for assistance and began rendering aid to the victim. A nurse arrived on the scene and said due to his head and other injuries, he needed hospital care immediately. No ambulance was available so officers took him to the hospital and he was airlifted to Memphis.

He is presently in long-term recovery.

Police Chief Chris Robertson said initially they thought Hinton had suffered a stroke, fallen and hit his head. Hinton had no memory of what happened and there was no obvious evidence of foul play.

Later, however, a Memphis surgeon told Hinton’s brother that the injuries appeared to be more consistent with being hit by an auto than a relatively simple fall.

Robertson said police investigated and found what could be evidence of a vehicle striking someone but it was of little value and this was several days after the incident. They interviewed people in the courthouse and surrounding buildings but found no one who saw anything. Although it took several days, they were able to view surveillance video from Regions Bank. “It didn’t show anything,” the chief said.

Robertson said he is still hopeful they may learn something. “It is inconceivable that at 10:30 on a Friday morning at the Union County Courthouse someone didn’t see what happened,” he said.

Anyone who might have such information is asked to call the New Albany Police Department at 662-534-2222.

The two fugitives’ cases have been turned over to the U. S. Marshals’ Service.

One of the fugitives being sought is connected with a shooting that occurred in Shady Dell Park Tuesday, March 24.

The incident began with an altercation at the Reed Street Apartments earlier in the day.

Investigator Jeff Chism said officers responded and found that Charles R. Brown, 30, of 144 CR 1754, Saltillo had produced a weapon threatening Demarcus Jones, 23, of 749 Hwy. 15 North, New Albany.

Jones had left and the matter appeared settled at the time.

However, the dispute rekindled and the groups agreed to meet at Shady Dell Park.

About 5:30 p.m. police received 911 calls about shots fired at the park. Officers responded and found several people at the park.

Shots had been fired but none of the adults or children present had been hit. Two vehicles were struck by bullets, however.

It was determined that Brown had again produced a weapon and fired, and Jones also produced a weapon with both firing several rounds at each other.

Jones was later taken into custody but Brown remains at large.

Both are being charged with possession of a firearm by a felon with bond set at $5,000 and attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond for the second charge was set at $50,000.

Robertson is asking the citizens of New Albany to help locate Brown. The chief said Brown is considered to be armed and dangerous.

The second fugitive is a man accused of his at least third felony this year, Police Chief Robertson said.

Nevies Oglesby, 27, of 1009 Hazel Lane, New Albany, is accused to stealing a credit card from someone at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County and using it at local businesses.

He was already facing charges for stealing a city truck from the sportsplex and also burglarizing the vehicle of a staff member at the New Albany Middle School.

Once in custody, he will be charged with two counts of credit card fraud and bond will be set at $10,000.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either fugitive is asked to contact the New Albany Police Department at 662-534-2222 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at 1-800-773-8477. All information reported to Crime Stoppers remains anonymous. Information that results in an arrest can be rewarded.