SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Jones County’s Flock cameras were instrumental in a recent aggravated assault that began with a vehicle repossession and ended in a violent attack of the repo agent.
Charles L. Cornick, 63, was arrested Aug. 3 and charged with the crime of aggravated assault. The report of Cornick’s arrest by Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nolan Sullivan states he was dispatched to a Wheeler Court address in reference to a dispute.
When the deputy arrived, he made contact with an agent of the recovery company, who said he was alerted to a vehicle with a repossession order in the Gray Highway Walmart parking lot. The agent said Cornick, the owner of the car, asked to get his belongings out of the vehicle and then asked if someone would take him home. The agent said he had the wrecker driver take the repossessed vehicle and drop Cornick off at his house. Sullivan then spoke to the wrecker driver, who said as they got in the Cornick’s neighborhood, he began reaching for the console and said he had a gun. The driver said the owner threatened him and pushed him out of the car, causing him to hit the pavement.
He said Cornick got behind the wheel of the car and started to pull off, but the wrecker driver went to the passenger side and opened the door. Cornick put the car in reverse and backed up, striking the wrecker driver with the car door. The man fell under the car and was dragged several feet as Cornick took off.
Sullivan said he was able to utilize the Flock camera system to track Cornick going up Gray Highway and used it again to track him coming into the county on Highway 44 at the Putnam County line. Two JCSO units and a Gray Police Department unit were there to meet him as he came into the City of Gray.
Cornick was apprehended and transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center. Sullivan said he met with the offender and advised him of his charges. He said warrants were secured for his arrest on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, simple assault and felony theft.
