GENEVA COUNTY, Ala. – A Coffee County man has been arrested after authorities claim he was found in possession of a stolen pace car that was taken from the South Alabama Speedway in Kinston earlier this month. The theft, which occurred sometime after January 13, involved a white 2012 Dodge Charger with SAS decals, along with several racing-related items, including radios, racing headsets, computer monitors, and security camera storage hard drives.
The Kinston and Opp Police Departments launched an investigation into the theft, following a series of tips from the community. Although investigators withheld some details of the ongoing probe, one of the tips led to a significant breakthrough.
On January 20, law enforcement officials deployed a drone to survey an area near Highway 189 and Hickman Avenue. While conducting the aerial search, the drone team spotted the stolen pace car, partially covered with tarps, behind a house. A man and a woman were seen working on the vehicle.
When officers arrived at the scene, the pair fled into the nearby woods. A multi-agency search ensued, involving Kinston Police, Opp Police, Florala Police, the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, K9 units, and the Alabama Game Warden K9 unit. After approximately six hours of searching, authorities were able to capture one of the suspects, identified as Ashton Nobles, near the racetrack on Highway 52. The second suspect, a woman, remains at large.
Nobles, 26, was arrested and charged with burglary in the third degree, theft of property in the first degree, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Investigators confirmed that all of the stolen items from the racetrack were found inside the pace car.
Kinston Police Chief Matt Whigham expressed his gratitude to the various law enforcement agencies involved in the search, stating, “We could not have done it without Opp Police, Florala Police, Covington County Sheriff’s deputies, K9 units, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.”
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and are working to locate the second suspect involved in the theft.
