Columbus Man Caught After Three-Month Burglary Spree
In a twist that seems straight out of a movie, a 45-year-old man from Columbus was captured after spending roughly three months on the run. He is accused of breaking into three different businesses in Lowndes County during a spree of burglaries earlier this summer.
The Burglary Incidents
It all began on July 6, when the man allegedly broke into Sweetie’s Cafe and Dewie’s Bake Shop, both located on Wolfe Road in Caledonia. The following day, he reportedly targeted the Old Country Store on Highway 12 in Steens. Each of these break-ins resulted in stolen cash, leaving the local business owners reeling.
Detectives on the Case
In the world of policing, security footage can play a pivotal role, and in this case, it sure did. Detectives managed to identify the suspect as the prime suspect thanks to the recordings captured during one of the burglaries. This crucial evidence would set in motion a series of events that would eventually lead to his capture.
The Chase
Once law enforcement caught wind of the alleged crimes, deputies attempted to apprehend the suspect right at his home on Spivey Road. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when he made a quick exit through the back of his house and vanished into thin air. The local sheriff shared this twist, highlighting how he managed to evade arrest at the last moment.
Three Long Months
For the next three months, the suspect remained elusive, living under the radar and possibly changing his routine to avoid detection. However, last Thursday, in a turn of events many would say was long overdue, he returned home. This time, he wasn’t just wandering back for a visit; he was met by officers keen on bringing him into custody. With the combined efforts of local deputies and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, he was finally arrested.
Facing Serious Charges
On top of the three counts of commercial burglary he’s facing, the suspect has other issues to deal with as well. Currently, he is on federal probation for a prior charge—specifically for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. After going on the run and failing to check in with his probation officer, he now faces additional charges for violating that probation.
Holding Cell
The suspect is presently being held at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center with a total bond set at $30,000. The community is likely breathing a sigh of relief following the arrest, knowing that a suspect connected to a troubling series of burglaries has finally been apprehended.
