Friday, Feb. 4, 2005

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Tyrone auto theft suspects nabbed

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

A routine traffic stop in Union City led Tyrone police to two men wanted for operating a tri-county automobile theft ring.

James David Dixon, 17, of last known address 633-A Senoia Road, Tyrone, was arrested in Union City Jan. 20 while driving a motorcycle during a traffic stop, TPD Sgt. Dean Johnson said. Soon after Dixon’s arrest, Johnson was able to clear a string of auto thefts and one burglary that occurred at Upshaw’s Automotive Service, 221 Palmetto Road, Tyrone, from its books.

Dixon was charged with burglary and theft by taking motor vehicle in connection with the Christmas morning thefts, Johnson said. Dixon’s alleged accomplice, Jerry Scott Barber, 23, of Bear Creek Trail, Fairburn, was charged with theft by taking motor vehicle in connection with the crime, Johnson added. Both were taken to the Fayette County Jail for booking.

Johnson and TPD police Chief Johnny Hay are ecstatic they were able to crack the case.

“I am very happy we were able to clear this one from our books and that we were able to recover most of the property,” Johnson said. “This was going to be a thorn in my side if I didn’t.”

Hay wore a glow of satisfaction on his face while Johnson discussed the case. He wasted no time giving Johnson, the agency’s lone investigator, an attaboy.

“He did a good job,” Hay said.

The auto theft mystery began Dec. 25 when a 1990 Chevrolet S-10, a 1997 Ford F-150, a diagnostic computer used to identify needed automobile repairs, impact wrenches, a cordless drill and other tools were stolen from Upshaw’s.

Clues that would lead police to the alleged thieves were scarce. On Jan. 14, Johnson received a firm lead from the Fairburn Police Department who were investigating a similar case. Police officials believe the cases and the suspects involved shared many similarities.

Johnson discovered the auto thefts stretched across several cities and counties including Fairburn, Senoia, Tyrone, south Fulton, Fayette and Coweta counties. Working with other police officials from other agencies, Johnson recovered 95 percent of property from the thefts, which appeared to be drug-related, Johnson said adding that he appreciated the inter-agency cooperation.

“I developed leads from Fairburn and that’s how I was able to recover the two trucks and equipment,” Johnson said. “About $7,500 of property is what we recovered. But recovering the merchandise was no easy task.

“We recovered items from south Fulton County to as far south as Senoia,” Johnson said. “Parts were scattered everywhere. The parts were traded or bartered for whatever reasons.”

The owners were able to retrieve their trucks before they filed an insurance claim. The automotive shop also received the diagnostic computer it relied on for the business.

Johnson said it was premature to say if more charges or arrests were pending.

He indicated Dixon and Barber will not only face charges by the Tyrone Police Department, but the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Fairburn Police Department and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Department, too.

Hay and Johnson said auto thefts are not commonplace in the small town, which boasts a population of roughly 4,479. But the crime does happen in spurts. The last auto theft occurred in the spring. The cases are unrelated, Johnson said.

“Most of the thefts occur around construction sites,” Hay said.

“We don’t have many auto thefts,” added Johnson.