re: Missouri couple kidnapping their way across the Southeast - updated.. Ga is up

quote:

---

Fitzgerald and Harper: After multiple sightings, are they back in Alabama?

Posted by: Scott Buttram Posted date: February 04, 2016


TRUSSVILLE – Blake Fitzgerald, 31-years-old of Joplin, Missouri and Brittany Harper, 31-years-old, also of Joplin, Missouri are quickly developing a reputation of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde as their alleged crime spree continues throughout the southeast. The pair are considered armed and dangerous.

Now, the question arises, are they actually being spotted or are they being assumed in different crimes in different states? Are they now back in Alabama? Authorities in Alabama, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee are working hard to put the pieces together and find out. Mostly, they want the couple in custody before someone gets hurt.

The two may have tried to buy a used car for $500 in Milan, Tenn. at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Milan police said.

Later, around 2 p.m., they may have made a second attempt at buying a car at a second dealership. They allegedly tried to use a drivers license with the name Hubert Pugh. A copy of Pugh’s license was made by the dealership.

WBRC reported that employees at the car lot put the pieces together after seeing Fitzgerald and Harper on Fox News.

Pugh is described as a 52-year-old white male from Metropolis, Illinois. He may still be with the couple, according to police, the television station reported.

It is not known if Pugh is with the couple or what his relationship may be at this time.

At 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, NorthEscabia.com reported Fitzgerald and Harper may have robbed the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville, Fla.

According to the story, store employees were shown photos of the couple and were certain it was Fitzgerald and Harper who committed the armed robbery.

A store employee chased the two as they left the scene and said they were in a black Ford F-150 with the rear window broken out. The suspects reportedly were heading north on Highway 97 and crossed the state line into Atmore, Ala.

The article says that the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t released any information or named any suspects in the incident.

The crime spree, at least in Alabama, began on Sunday when the couple is believed to have kidnapped a man in Tuscaloosa and a woman in Vestavia Hills.

Following a possible home invasion and abduction of a Vestavia Hills woman just before 8 a.m. Sunday, the Vestavia police are seeking the public’s help in finding the two suspects and the vehicle they allegedly stole.

When police arrived at the home in the 2400 block of Monte Vista Drive, they spoke to husband who told them the man entered the home through a garage door and stated that he was having car trouble.

The man then pulled a gun and demanded the keys to the family car, police said. The suspect took the keys to the Ford and forced the wife into the vehicle where they were joined by the alleged female accomplice.

The suspects drove east on Highway 280 and dropped the victim off at the Grandview Hospital emergency room entrance unharmed. The victim flagged down a passing motorist who brought her home.

The case remains under investigation.

The next day, the two were wanted for a kidnapping in Perry, Georgia, according to authorities there.

Fitzgerald and Harper are suspected of a robbery and kidnapping at 11:04 p.m. on Monday.

Police say that incident occurred at a Murphy Express located at 1429 Sam Nunn Boulevard. The two were last seen headed south on Interstate 75. They were still believed to be in the 2010 Silver Ford Edge, tag ?#?2720AG7?, reported stolen in Vestavia Hills, Ala. at that time.

The suspects are described as a white male, bald and in his mid 30’s, now believed to be Fitzgerald, as well as a white female, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with reddish brown hair, believed to be Harper, and wearing a beige jacket who police believe was his accomplice.

---