David Harold Stokes

Baldwin County Corrections photo

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — A suspect has been apprehended by Bay Minette Police after he reportedly stole a vehicle and shot at several buildings in the early morning hours Friday in Satsuma before traveling to Baldwin County via Interstate 65 where he reportedly shot at two more occupied vehicles.

According to a release issued Friday by Bay Minette Police Chief Al Tolbert, 54-year-old David Harold Stokes was arrested by BMPD Officers and on charges of receiving stolen property, first degree; receiving stolen property, second degree, receiving stolen property, fourth degree; resisting arrest, and possession of a pistol by a violent felon. Stokes is currently being held in the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Correction without bond. Stokes has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2000.

According to the release, BMPD received a call Friday from a motorist stating a white male individual pointed a firearm at his family while they were at the Marathon Gas Station at the Highway 287 exit of I-65. The suspect, later identified as Stokes, proceeded south on Highway 287 to Bay Minette. The motorist followed the suspect and stayed on the line with Bay Minette Police Dispatch.

Bay Minette Police Officers made contact with Stokes near Highway 59 and Highway 287 and conducted a traffic stop on the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban. During the traffic stop, Stokes refused to obey the commands of officers. Officers engaged in a brief physical confrontation with Stokes and he was taken into custody without further incident.

Stokes was found to be armed with a Smith & Wesson 9MM pistol at the time of his arrest. This weapon had previously been reported stolen. During the investigation, officers also determined that the vehicle Stokes was driving had been stolen by force in Satsuma earlier Friday.