newsnews

2 of 4 Men Arrested in LaGrange Burglaries

2 of 4 Men Arrested in LaGrange Burglaries (Added: October 16, 2009)

Harris County and Troup County law enforcement are working together to find two more suspects believed to be involved in a string of Shell gas station burglaries in LaGrange early Friday morning. (more)

0 Ratings | 1 Video Views

Post a Comment or Rate this Video

» View More Videos

By Alison Flowers
Published: October 16, 2009

» 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Harris County and Troup County law enforcement are still on the hunt for two more suspects believed to be involved in three Shell gas station burglaries in LaGrange early Friday morning. Two Atlanta men have already been arrested, 19-year-old Travis Tucker and 34-year-old Demetrice Jenkins. Surveillance video indicates it was a four-person job.

Early Friday morning, Harris County received an alert from Troup County dispatch about burglaries in the area involving four suspects in a Pontiac Grand Prix. According to Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley, the car was rented out of Atlanta International Airport. The first burglary was at around 5:11 a.m. on Upper Big Springs Road in LaGrange. About two miles away and 14 minutes later, a Hamilton Road gas station was burglarized. Finally, at 6 a.m. the third Shell gas station was hit, but the escape was interrupted by a proactive Harris County deputy, Angela Smith.

Smith lives in Troup County and took it upon herself to check out I-185 gas stations on her way into work Friday morning. On one of her stops, she found the Grand Prix behind a Shell gas station on Highway 18 off the interstate. Smith pursued the vehicle, and it took off on the I-185 ramp where the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The deputy saw four suspects escape into the surrounding wooded area.

Canine units found Travis Tucker. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for minor lacerations from the dogs. Tucker was then taken to Troup County Jail where he and Demetrice Jenkins, the second suspect later found, were charged with attempted burglary, burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Deputies detained an woman whom investigators said Jenkins called via cell phone to pick them up. The woman told investigators that she was only told about the car crash. Troup County Chief Investigator Charles Nixon said he believes she had no knowledge of the burglaries.