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Missing Tampa Woman's Car Found; Ex-Boyfriend Arrested

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

Levery White cries as she holds 2-year-old Je’Neiyce Brown, the daughter of her missing friend, Jennifer Denise Johnson.

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By JOSH THOMAS

News Channel 8

Published: November 17, 2008

Updated: 11/17/2008 11:14 pm

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TAMPA - Police recovered a missing woman's car Monday morning and crime scene technicians are processing it for evidence.

Detectives have been asking for the public's help finding its owner, Jennifer Denise Johnson, 31, who had been expected to throw a birthday party Saturday for her 2-year-old daughter. Johnson was reported missing at 7:55 p.m. Saturday after family members became concerned when Johnson was not at home for the party.

Vincent Brown, who police were looking for in connection with the disappearance of Johnson, his ex-girlfriend, turned himself in Sunday night at Orient Road Jail.

Hillsborough County deputies arrested Brown at 11:30 p.m. Sunday on a probation violation charge. Brown has not been charged in Johnson's disappearance.

Brown's sister, Wanda Tillman, said Monday that she helped Brown turn himself in to law enforcement because she didn't want police to come looking for him. She said Brown wouldn't have done anything to hurt Johnson and encouraged Johnson to come forward.

Tillman said that Brown asked her, "Why should I turn myself in? I didn't do anything."

"They had their ups and downs," Tillman said of Brown and Johnson. "But they love each other."

Brown was uncooperative Monday in the investigation into his ex-girlfriend's disappearance, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Officers are continuing to look for the woman as well as for Brown's vehicle.

Detectives believe Johnson may be in danger, McElroy said.

"I hope they find my daughter alive," said Johnson's mother, Alma Dorsey.

Johnson was last seen at 11 p.m. Friday at the Apollo Club, 5110 N. 40th St., arguing with Brown, McElroy said. Brown and Johnson went to his parents' house on East Cayuga Street about 3 a.m.
Saturday, police say. "At that point, they were not arguing, and it didn't seem unusual to the parents," McElroy said.

Johnson's daughter was with Johnson's mother at the time. The girl remains in her grandmother's care, McElroy said.

Brown has not been named a suspect, but he does have a history of domestic violence against women, including a 2006 arrest against Johnson for battery on a pregnant woman, McElroy said.

Johnson's sister, Rachel Johnson, said that on Saturday, Brown's voicemail greeting on his phone had changed to say that he might not be heard from again and asked callers not to forget him.

Brown turned himself in at Orient Road Jail after seeing his picture on the television news, police spokeswoman Janelle McGregor said. McGregor said he knew he had a warrant for his arrest for cocaine possession. He was booked at 12:32 a.m. Monday, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Web site.

Johnson's car was found in the parking lot of Oak Park, 5215 E. 15th Ave. A driver recognized the black four-door 1996 Infiniti I-30 with chrome rims from news coverage, police said.

After being processed for evidence, it will be taken to the police impound lot.

Police ask anyone with information to call (813) 231-6130.

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report. Tribune reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691. News Channel 8 reporter Josh Thomas can be reached at (813) 221-5737.

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