Atmore man jailed on warrants; possibly facing more charges in trailer break in
Thompson, right, escorts smiling Knighten into police station
A burglary investigation at Gandy Trailer Park led to a manhunt and eventual arrest of an Atmore man on outstanding warrants Sunday afternoon.
Derrick Gene Knighten, 38, 12885 Highway 31, was taken into custody following a brief chase behind the Hampton Inn in Atmore. Knighten was jailed on outstanding felony warrants from Escambia County, Fla., and the city of Brewton. At this time Knighten has not been charged in the trailer park burglary.
Flomaton Police Inv. Chance Thompson said police were dispatched to Gandy Trailer Park Sunday in reference to a burglary and Knighten was identified as a suspect. Thompson said later Sunday, Knighten began texting his girlfriend making threats against the victim of the burglary.
The investigation led police to the McDonald's restaurant in Atmore where they believed Knighten would be. Thompson, along with officers from the Atmore Police Department and the Poarch Police Department went to McDonald's but Knighten was not located.
Police began searching the area and returned to McDonald's where Knighten was spotted and he ran off on foot toward the Hampton Inn. Atmore police went to the front of the hotel and Thompson went to the back when he spotted Knighten. Following a short foot chase, Knighten was taken into custody.
Thompson said during an interview, Knighten said he was only at the trailer park to work. Thompson said Knighten was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on the outstanding warrant charges. He said additional charges are pending against Knighten as he waits for a list of the items reported stolen from the trailer.
