MERIDIAN — A man who happened to notice two suspicious people around the home of a neighbor Wednesday unknowingly went a long way in stopping a series of burglaries, auto burglaries and thefts that have in recent weeks kept sheriff's department investigators and police detectives very busy.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said Friday afternoon the concerned neighbor who lives on Hwy. 493 started a chain reaction that led to the arrest Wednesday night of Christopher Ford Williams, 20, of Bailey, and Thursday of Rodney W. McDonald, 19, of Meridian. Both men are now in the Lauderdale County jail, charged Friday afternoon with various offenses.
"This has been going on for weeks," Sollie said of the burglaries and thefts, mainly in north Meridian and northern Lauderdale County. "We have been fielding calls and meeting with people all day we believe were victims in these incidents."
McDonald is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of burglary and one count of receiving stolen property. His bond was set at $10,000 for each offense. Williams was charged with one count of burglary and one count of receiving stolen property. His bond was also set at $10,000 for each offense.
Capt. James Sharpe, commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Meridian Police Department, said McDonald has been charged with one count of auto burglary and one count of vehicle theft. He said more charges are pending as his detectives continue to work the cases.
Sollie said people have been coming into the offices of the LCSD to claim property that has been recovered so far in connection with the alleged incidents. He said it appeared from the investigation so far these two individuals would take anything that wasn't nailed down.
"Guns, electronics, vehicles, four-wheelers, even clothes," Sollie said. "We are still trying to determine the scope of their activities."
Sollie said areas in North Meridian, Eagle Point and Poplar Springs Drive in Meridian seemed to be major concentration points of the duo based on property already claimed by victims. Sollie said it is very likely more charges are going to be filed in regards to this investigation and that there is a possibility other people may have been involved as well.
Sollie said when McDonald and Williams were discovered at the home Wednesday the men fled into a wooded area. Williams was found later Wednesday night while McDonald was taken into custody at a residence on Poplar Springs Drive Thursday afternoon.
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Two charged in burglaries, thefts
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