Wayne M. Miller
Assistant Chief of Police
Public Information Officer
(386) 506-5810
Case #2009-008765      

                                    POLICE SEARCHING FOR ESCAPED PRISONER 

On September 21, 2009 at approximately 6:00 PM, Port Orange Police Officer Darren Starling was dispatched to the Target Department store at 1771 Dunlawton Avenue in regards to a female subject Target loss prevention had in custody for felony retail theft of $1,335 in Blue Ray DVD’s. The subject was later identified 21 year old Heather Nicole Pilling (07/26/1988). Target loss prevention advised Officer Starling that Pilling had been in the Port Orange Target store on Sunday 09/20/09 as well as earlier in the day on 09/21/09  and stolen additional Blue Ray DVD’s. Officer Starling placed Pilling under arrest for felony retail theft as well as resisting a retail merchant as Pilling had resisted loss prevention efforts when they attempted to escort her to their loss prevention office on this latest incident.  

While Pilling was in custody at Target, she advised Officer Starling that she was pregnant and was having a panic attack and required medical assistance. EVAC ambulance was summoned to the scene and recommended Pilling be transported to the hospital to be evaluated by a physician. Pilling was transported by EVAC ambulance to Port Orange Halifax Hospital at approximately 7:05 PM.  

At the hospital Officer Starling secured Pilling with handcuffs to a bench in an ER evaluation room. Officer Starling went outside the hospital to his patrol car regarding some paperwork and he was advised shortly thereafter by EVAC staff that Pilling was seen departing the hospital facility heading east through the parking lot towards Nova Road. It was later learned that Pilling had maneuvered out of the handcuffs in the evaluation room and subsequently left the hospital on foot. Starling radioed this information in and a search of the area for Pilling turned up negative results.  

Port Orange Detectives investigated various locations for Pilling thus far with negative results and continue to investigate the whereabouts of Pilling to subsequently transport her to the Volusia County Branch Jail on the above charges in addition to the escape charge.  A photo of Pilling is attached to this press release.

Update:

Pilling turned herself in at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office New Smyrna Beach office at approximately 3:30 AM on Sept. 23, 2009. Subsequently she was turned over to Port Orange Police and after processing at Port Orange, she is being transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail on the charges dictated in the previous press release.