JONES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
A Flock camera alert resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle last week.
Wilber Franklin Walton Jr., 54, was arrested Jan. 31 and charged with felony theft by receiving stolen property.
A report of the arrest by Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Emily Mattox stated that she observed a stolen vehicle alert in the area of New Clinton Road from the Flock camera while on patrol. She said a computer check of the vehicle confirmed it was stolen and identified Walton as the possible suspect.
Mattox said she was familiar with Walton from her previous experience with Bibb County and knew where he would most likely be headed. The deputy said she patrolled the mobile home park off Joycliff Road and spotted the stolen vehicle. The deputy said she circled back and positioned herself to observe the residence due to her knowledge of the suspect’s habit of fleeing at the sight of law enforcement and waited for backup to arrive. She said, when JCSO Deputy Zach Allen and Sgt. Matthew Johnson arrived on the scene, Allen blocked in the stolen vehicle and made contact at the front door.
Mattox said she and Allen went to the back door, and it started to open slowly. The deputy said when she saw Walton, she pulled her taser and started giving him commands to show his hands. She said Johnson made his way through the house and was able to take Walton into custody without incident.
The keys to the stolen vehicle were found in Walton’s possession.
Mattox said items found in the vehicle were submitted to the evidence locker and a warrant secured for the suspect’s arrest.
Walton remains in custody at the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
