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News

From the Thursday, August 26, 2010 edition

Women accused of stealing jewelry, drugs, money

Two Monroeville women are behind bars on allegations they burglarized a home, taking jewelry, prescription drugs and a change box from a child’s bedroom, and then showed up at Wal-Mart “under the influence of an unidentified substance,” Investigator Sgt. Robert Champion said.

Kristie Jernigan, 25, and Amanda Shipp, 22, were both arrested on charges of third-degree burglary last Wednesday after they allegedly went into a residence on Hidden Creek Lane, Champion said.

“The homeowner felt she knew the suspects and was able to provide two names,” Champion said. “A short time later we received a call from officials at Wal-Mart reporting two women with a child, and both women appeared to be extremely intoxicated.”

Champion said officers responded to the store and found the women in question were, in fact, Jernigan and Shipp.

“We found some of the reportedly stolen jewelry on them, and more in their vehicle,” Champion said. “Also recovered from the vehicle were prescription drugs from the home. A small combination lock box with change in it was reported taken from a child’s bedroom at the home, and the empty box was found inside the car, too.”

Champion said the pair had allegedly already cashed in the change.

Jernigan’s bond was set at $150,000 and Shipp’s was set at $50,000. Both were still in the Monroe County Detention Facility (MCDF) Tuesday afternoon.

In an unrelated case, investigators are looking into a reported burglary at an Alabama Highway 21 North residence last Tuesday.

Chief Investigator Sgt. Omer West said the Monroeville Police Department was notified around 1 p.m. that a residence had been burglarized and several items had been stolen, including firearms, electronics, air compressors and other items.

West said the perpetrators had rummaged through drawers and cabinets inside the residence as well.

“This is an active investigation and we are following up on leads at this time,” West said.

In other activity:

• Monroeville Police arrested Johnifer Howard, 32, of Monroeville Sunday on charges of disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $300 and he was released the next day.