ROBERTSDALE, Ala. – Robertsdale police are looking for a Bay Minette area man whom they say fled after he attempted to break into an ice machine in front of a local grocery store.

Sgt. Anthony Dobson , patrol supervisor with the Robertsdale Police Department, said officers received an alarm call at around 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 22 at Greer’s Cash Saver Cost Plus Food Outlet in Robertsdale.

When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a man attempting to break into a large ice machine in front of the store.

The suspect was able to elude police, Dobson said, jumped into his vehicle and fled up Highway 59 through Loxley and into Stapleton where he turned onto County Road 39.

The search continued on foot, Dobson said, after officers found the suspect’s vehicle abandoned off of County Road 39. The search continued for about an hour and a half and was called off at that point.

“We were able to identify a person of interest in the case and have two warrants out for his arrest,” Dobson said.

The suspect has been identified as Johnny Henry Johnson Jr., 42, a resident of the Bay Minette area, Dobson said. Warrants have been issued for attempted burglary and eluding law enforcement.

According to the Baldwin County Corrections website Johnson, whose address was listed as Elberta, has an extensive arrest record with 20 listed bookings dating back to 1991.

Most of the arrest records listed do not include charges and in many cases Johnson was released the same day or the next day.

Records show he served nine months from June of 2000 to March of 2001 on charges of escape, third degree, resisting arrest and a parole violation. He also served five months from September of 2002 to February of 2003 on four counts of theft of property, second degree.

His last recorded booking on the Baldwin County Corrections website was in 2005, from which he served seven months, from May to December. No charges were listed on the site.