Police locate suspect vehicle in Lake Cyrus homicide

Bessemer police located a pickup truck believed to be connected with Tuesday’s homicide in the Lake Cyrus neighborhood in Hoover. 

A resident provided investigators with surveillance video that was used to determine a suspect vehicle description. Police report an older Ford F-250 pickup was seen leaving the area close to the time of the shooting death of 33-year-old Mike Gilotti.

Yesterday around 11 a.m., Bessemer police were notified of and recovered an abandoned 2000 Ford F-250 near the intersection of Roland Avenue and Elmore Street, which is near the Jonesboro and Burstall communities. Items that were reported stolen during the 10 car burglaries on Park Side Circle in Lake Cyrus were recovered from the truck.

The truck was towed to Hoover for evidence processing.

Police report four black males were seen walking away from the truck. The men got into a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee, and detectives believe they have ties to the Bessemer area.

The truck was stolen on Monday night from a residential area in Tuscaloosa County, police said. There were also multiple car burglaries reported in that area.

Anyone with information about a group of men in a Jeep Cherokee or other information related to this case is encouraged to contact Sgt. Keith Czeskleba at 739-6795 or the Hoover Police Department at 822-5300.

“Investigators continue to ask for the public’s assistance in helping solve this senseless crime,” Capt. Gregg Rector said in a press release. “Individuals who have knowledge of these suspects and their identity are urged to come forward immediately.”

A funeral for Gilotti, who was married with two young children, will be held Sunday at Riverchase United Methodist Church at 1953 Old Montgomery Highway. The viewing will be at 2 p.m., and the funeral will follow at 3 p.m. Flowers may be sent to the Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home at 2701 John Hawkins Parkway.