Arrest Made for Burglaries Near Ladd Peebles Stadium

Ladd Peebles Stadium is a popular spot for locals to get outdoor exercise. But a recent crime spree in the parking lot the last few weeks has fitness-focused Mobilians thinking twice about where to burn calories.

"There's a lot of people coming up here," said exerciser Ledetreic Penn, "but you never hear about people trying to break into people's cars."

But that's exactly what was happening. A car was stolen from the parking lot of Ladd Peebles Stadium January 25. A woman's purse was taken from her car less than two weeks later. But Mobile Police say the hunt for the criminal has come to an end.

"Today we received a phone call as somebody was watching a vehicle be burglarized," said Ashley Raines, a spokesperson for the Mobile Police Department. "So they stayed on the phone with the operator as officers were able to get to the location."

And that's when they arrested Donterrio Evans. He's the man detectives believe is responsible for all three of the recent crimes at Ladd Peebles Stadium. This isn't his first time behind bars. Evans has been booked into Mobile Metro Jail thirteen times in the last decade.

Police say criminals will often target women who are out walking or jogging, because when they leave their cars there's often a purse left unattended inside. Anyone could be a target, but there are simple ways to avoid becoming a victim in this scenario.

"Of course people don't want to carry their purses and wallets when they walk," said Ashley Raines, "but it's not a bad idea to maybe secure as many things as you can at home."

"Don't put your purse in the cars," said Ledetreic Penn, "If you're going to come up here and walk, leave everything valuable: jewelry, watches, everything at home because it seems like nobody is safe now."

Police hope this arrest will put an end to the spike in crime near Ladd Peebles Stadium.