Grand Bay resident, Michael Whittenton, has been seized and is now under detention following a high-speed vehicle pursuit that concluded in Gulf Shores. He faces a multitude of charges including eluding the police, reckless endangerment, resistance to arrest, and unlawful firearm possession by a person with a violent criminal past. Whittenton's criminal history is substantial, with a record of arrests going back to 2009.

The apprehension was executed by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputies, in collaboration with the Gulf Shores Police. Whittenton, aged 32, is connected to an inquiry that originated in late April on the Fort Morgan peninsula. Upon his arrest, it was revealed that he was in possession of multiple firearms, which he allegedly discarded during the pursuit. These firearms are believed to have been stolen during a sequence of vehicle burglaries in the Fort Morgan vicinity earlier that day. This apprehension signifies a major breakthrough in the ongoing probe into a string of vehicle burglaries in the Fort Morgan region.

In the latter part of April, the Fort Morgan community in Baldwin County was hit by a surge of vehicle burglaries. The culprit targeted both locked and unlocked vehicles, pilfering items such as handbags, money, and handguns. The incidents appeared to align with the influx of holidaymakers moving into their rental accommodations.

Whittenton was pinpointed as a suspect during the investigation. He is currently held in the Baldwin County jail with a bail set at $33,000. He is charged with eluding the police, reckless endangerment, resistance to arrest, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a violent criminal.

Whittenton's criminal past is substantial, with a record of arrests going back to 2009.

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has issued a reminder to residents and visitors to safeguard their belongings, lock their vehicles, activate exterior lights, and secure their residences. They stressed that responsible firearm ownership includes accountability, such as proper usage and safe storage when not in use.

The investigation continues.

The breakdown of Whittenton’s bail is as follows:

Evading a Police Officer (13A-10-52), with a bond set at $6000.00

Reckless Endangerment (13A-6-24), with a bond set at $6000.00

Resisting Arrest (13A-10-41), with a bond set at $6000.00

Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon (13A-11-72(a)), with a bond set at $15000.00