SUPERIOR COURT
A crime spree in the River North Subdivision resulted in the arrest of one of the offenders who has now been indicted on 36 charges by a Jones County Grand Jury.
Thalley Lewis, 20, was arrested Sept. 7 and charged with theft by taking felony, entering automobile or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft of felony, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission or attempt to commit certain felonies.
The offenses for which Lewis was charged took place Sept. 1, but he was not arrested until he was released from the hospital for injuries sustained in an accident that occurred as he attempted to elude law enforcement officers.
A Jones County Grand Jury indicted Lewis Oct. 11 on 32 counts of entering an automobile, three counts of theft by taking felony and possession of firearm during commission of felony.
In an interview following Lewis’ arrest, Jones County Sheriff Office Investigator Lt. Kenny Gleaton said the first call about the crimes was received by JCSO at 3 a.m. Sept. 1. He said the call was from an individual on Whispering Pines Drive, who had just heard someone driving his car out of his driveway.
Gleaton said officers responded to the call, and JCSO and Deputy Matthew Dennis met three vehicles leaving the area and turned around to pursue. He said the chase entered Bibb County, and the cars separated.
The investigator said Dennis stuck with a Honda CRV. The chase ended at a dead end street, and the occupants of the SUV fled on foot. Gleaton said there were about 30 reports of entering autos in River North Sept. 1. He said several stolen items from those crimes were found in the Honda.
Gleaton said a short time later, one of the other cars Dennis was pursuing, a Toyota 4-Runner was found wrecked, and the driver inside the vehicle had a leg injury. He said the driver, Lewis, was taken to the hospital.
The lieutenant said a firearm was found inside the 4-Runner, but previous reports that the driver had been shot were not accurate.
Three vehicles were involved Sept. 1. The 4-Runner and a 2020 Ford Explorer were stolen from the River North neighborhood, and the Honda CR-V was reported stolen in Macon the previous day.
He said the Explorer was later recovered behind Baconsfield.
The investigator said items recovered from the vehicles, included purses, wallets, three firearms and phones. He said several phones and guns were found in the Honda.
He noted that none of the vehicles involved in the entering autos or thefts had been locked.
