ATHENS - Jackson County authorities have arrested two Athens men believed to be responsible for several burglaries in the Jackson and Clarke County area over the last several weeks.
According to Jackson County Sheriff Janus Mangum, the arrests occurred sometime Friday when authorities were dispatched to a home on State Route 330 in relation to a burglary call.
Mangum said upon arriving in the area, investigators observed a suspicious vehicle near the initial location of the 911 call. Officers then initiated a traffic stop, where the driver, 21-year-old Brandon Jamal Battle, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Mangum said while the previous arrest was being conducted, the vehicle's passenger, 21-year-old Marquavious Rashod Parks, climbed into the driver's seat, putting the vehicle in drive and attempting to flee. At this point, officers grabbed on to the vehicle, clinging to the side while continuing their efforts to apprehend the suspect.
After driving an undisclosed distance, the vehicle was steered down a large embankment, coming to rest after striking a culvert. Mangum said Parks, despite his continued resistance, was eventually subdued and arrested.
Officers conducting an initial search of the suspect vehicle discovered a handgun that had been stolen earlier in the week during a Jackson County burglary. Mangum said further investigation revealed several pieces of evidence that authorities believe will assist with ongoing investigations into other burglaries in the area.
Both suspects were later booked into the Jackson County Jail, where they are currently incarcerated.
Battle, the initial driver, faces a number of charges in the case, including Driving with No License, Driving with a Cracked Windshield, Failure to Maintain Lane and Party to the Crime of Burglary in the First Degree.
Parks faces a more severe list of charges for his role in the case, including two counts of Felony Obstruction, two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Reckless Driving, Driving on a Suspended License, No Seatbelt, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.
Mangum said the investigation is ongoing at this time, noting that more arrests could be possible in the future.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/12/357581/athens-arrests-could-solve-burglaries-in-jackson-and-clarkes-co