Arson Suspect Arrested
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2025
Homewood Police Department News Release
Arson Suspect Arrested
On August 22nd, 2025, at approximately 2:30 PM, Homewood Police and Fire Departments responded to Walmart, located at 209 Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood, on a fire call. It was determined that a shopping cart full of items was deliberately set on fire inside the store, forcing the store to evacuate. The store was closed for the remainder of the day, and Walmart reported over $130,000 in damage due to the fire. Homewood Police Department detectives began an arson investigation.
During the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Mercutio Terrell Southall, age 40, of Birmingham. Southall is a known Black Lives Matter activist who was previously arrested and plead guilty to disorderly conduct and resisting arrest during a demonstration in downtown Homewood in 2015. He was also arrested and convicted of possessing a firearm at a demonstration in Montgomery County in 2016.
Verified evidence shows Southall attending the Black Lives Matter mass protest at the Homewood Soccer Park at approximately 11:35 AM on August 22nd. Southall is seen actively engaging and conversing with protesters at the Soccer Park. Southall then leaves the Soccer Park and travels to Walmart on Lakeshore Parkway, where he fills up a shopping cart full of rags, blankets, charcoal bags, small engine fuel, and paint thinner. Southall then pre-positions the shopping cart in a clothing aisle and returns to the mass protest at the Homewood Soccer Park. When the large group leaves the Soccer Park to go to downtown Homewood, Southall is seen driving back to Walmart on Lakeshore Parkway, where he facilitates the ignition of the fire inside the store, causing a mass evacuation.
After Southall was identified by Homewood Police detectives, he was arrested and charged with Arson – 1st Degree and Criminal Mischief – 1st Degree. Southall was transferred to the Jefferson County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond for the Arson – 1st Degree charge due to Aniah’s Law. The Homewood Police Department is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on pursuing federal arson charges. The investigation is still ongoing, with detectives considering pursuing charges on additional participants in the future.
Crime Report for the Week of October 27, 2025 10/21/25 Disorderly Conduct Arrest - Officers arrested a subject for disorderly conduct for obstructing traffic in the 200 block of Oxmoor Road. 10/21/25 Public Intox Arrest - Officers received a call for an intoxicated person in the 100 block of Greensprings Hwy. The subject was located and was arrested for Public Intoxication. 10/21/25 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 3400 block of Independence Drive and the driver was arrested for DUI. 10/24/25 Disorderly Conduct Arrest - Officers arrested a subject for disorderly conduct for obstructing traffic in the 400 block of Greensprings Hwy. 10/25/25 Disorderly Conduct Arrest - Officers arrested a subject for disorderly conduct for obstructing traffic in the 300 block of Oxmoor Road. 10/25/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of Oxmoor Road. The driver was in possession of marijuana and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree. 10/25/25 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 100 block of State Farm Pkwy and the driver was arrested for DUI. 10/26/25 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the 2800 block of Highway 280 and a pistol was taken. 10/26/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of West Valley Ave. The driver was in possession of marijuana and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree.
Crime Report for the Week of October 20, 2025 10/13/25 Public Intox Arrest -Officers responded to an intoxicated person in the 200 block of Lakeshore Pkwy. The subject was located and arrested for Public Intoxication. 10/16/25 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the 1800 block of Lancatser Rd and personal items were stolen. 10/17/25 Trailer Theft - A utility trailer was stolen from the 100 block of Citation Ct. 10/17/25 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of West Valley Ave and the driver was arrested for DUI.
Crime Report for the Week of October 13, 2025 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a witnessed violation in the 200 block of Greensprings Hwy and the driver was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. 10/10/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a witnessed violation in the 100 block of Greensprings Hwy. The driver was found to be in possession of cocaine and methamphetamine and was arrested with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. 10/12/25 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a witnessed violation in the 400 block of West Valley Ave and the driver was arrested for DUI.
Crime Report for the Week of October 6, 2025 10/02/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a witnessed violation in the 200 block of Summit Pkwy. The driver was in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. 10/03/25 Narcotics Arrest - Officers investigated a suspicious person in the 10 block of West Lakeshore Dr. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. 10/03/25 Public Intox Arrest - Officers arrested an intoxicated subject for Public Intoxication in the 200 block of Greensprings Hwy. 10/05/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a witnessed violation in the 100 block of West Valley Ave and the driver was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2025 Bicycle Theft Suspect Arrested On September 27th, 2025, the Homewood Police Department received a call about an electric bicycle stolen from the 1000 block of Broadway. A Homewood Police officer interviewed the victim and was able to obtain a description of the suspect from video surveillance footage from the condo garage. Later in the afternoon, the same officer observed a subject matching the bike theft suspect description walking in the 10 block of Greensprings Highway. The subject was wearing the same clothing and backpack as seen on the video footage from the theft. Based on the matching description, the subject was detained as a suspect on the bike theft. The suspect was in possession of a lock pick set, a crowbar, and bolt cutters, all of which are commonly used in the commission of burglary and theft crimes. He was also in possession of drug paraphernalia. After further investigation, officers were able to locate the stolen bicycle and return it to the owner. The suspect, Jacob King Wheelock, age 28, transient, was arrested and charged with Theft of Property – 1st Degree ($30,000 bond); Possession of Burglary Tools ($15,000 bond); and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia ($6,000 bond). He was transported to Homewood City Jail and then to Jefferson County Jail.
Crime Report for the Week of Sept. 22, 2025 Public Intox - An intoxicated subject was arrested for public intoxication in the 400 block of West Valley Ave. 09/19/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in 100 block of Vulcan Rd. The driver was in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. 09/21/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of Greensprings Hwy. The driver was in possession of marijuana and a stolen pistol. They were arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Receiving Stolen Property. 09/21/25 Narcotics Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of Oxmoor Rd. The driver was in possession of marijuana and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. 09/21/25 Narcotics Arrest - Officers located a disabled vehicle in the 400 block of Greensprings Hwy. The driver was intoxicated and in possession of methamphetamine. They were arrested for DUI and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
