Arrestee: Jo-Nisha Widby 18YOA Marianna FL Charge: Dealing in Stolen Property
On 08/12/13 Officers responded to a call of three suspicious males in a residential area where there has been a recent burglary. The subjects fled into the woods after being confronted by a homeowner. Officers arrived and tracked the three males through the woods. Once the males saw Officers they attempted to elude them and they were detained in front of Amy’s Auto on Lafayette St. All three subjects were identified as juveniles. During the investigation it was discovered that one of the juveniles had a Calvary style, .45 caliber, long colt revolver concealed in his backpack and was he subsequently arrested for having the firearm. Also located in the back pack was a black Halloween mask and Harley Davidson knit glove with leather fingertips. Officers then began to search the area for any items which the three may have possibly discarded. Officers located a second Calvary style, .45 caliber, long colt revolver between cars at Amy’s Auto. The surveillance footage from Amy’s Auto showed a second juvenile dropping the gun once law enforcement arrived. This juvenile was then arrested for carrying a concealed firearm. Upon further investigation the third juvenile was released to a family member.
On 08/13/13 Officers responded to an address on Putnam St. that was burglarized. Among the items stolen were five antique pistols. The two pistols that were located on the juveniles were positively identified by the owner of the firearms. The owner of the stolen items eventually discovered other items missing from the residence: two collector Derringer style pistols (one dated 1904 and the other is unknown), an assorted 1868 Russian Coin Collection, canvas satchel bag with 30-06 ammo, a small World War I sword approx. 14” in length, a decorative Central American machete with a leather sheath and “El Salvador” etched on one side, a gold Men’s Citizen EcoDrive watch and a red Faberge egg. The owner then pointed out one specific firearm which was missing from the residence, a Collector’s Item Gettysburg Cap and Ball Revolver appraised at $1500.00.
On 08/14/13 Officers gained knowledge from a concerned citizen that the two arrested juveniles lived periodically with Jo-Nisha Widby and that a stolen gun, along with other stolen items, were at her residence. An undercover purchase was then made for one of the stolen firearms from Jo-Nisha Widby at her residence. The firearm which was purchased was the stolen Collector’s Item Gettysburg Cap and Ball Revolver. Once the purchase was made Widby was arrested for Dealing in Stolen Property. Officers then obtained, and executed, a Search Warrant for Widby’s residence. A search of the residence was conducted and numerous stolen items were located throughout the residence; rare coins dated between 1856 and 1971, a decorative machete sheath with “El Salvador” etched on it, a red Faberge egg and other items linking the thieves to other area burglaries.
The Marianna Police Department will continue to be vigilant in the apprehension of future suspects involved in these burglaries. The Marianna Police Department is still searching for the two stolen Derringer style pistols; if you have any information on the location of any of the items mentioned or information on another crime please contact Crime Stoppers at 526-5000 or contact the Marianna Police Department at 526-3125.