John Willoughby: reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Two suspects in a burglary and grand theft case, including a teenager, are on the run after seven firearms were stolen from a Madison County residence on Monday, July 13. The incident, arrest and announcement of warrants were posted to the Madison County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Facebook page in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, July 15.
MCSO Major David Harper reports that around 1:33 p.m. on the day of the incident, deputies were dispatched to respond to a suspicious incident on Shrine Club Road. Upon arrival, witness reported observing a white Ford Explorer parked in the road with all doors open. At the witnesses got closer, they observed three black males dumping boxes out of the Ford Explorer before the males got into the vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed. Witnesses continued to report seeing the same vehicle driving in and out of the Locust Grove Subdivision earlier in the day.
Examination of the discarded boxes from Amazon showed that they were addressed to an individual located on Biltmore Road in the Locust Grove subdivision. Deputies responded to the address listed on the boxes and learned that the boxes “had since been stolen” after their arrival on the residence's porch at approximately 11 a.m. that day, according to the release issued by MCSO.
At 5:32 p.m., deputies were dispatched to another residence on NE Biltmore Road in response to a residential burglary. Deputies arrived and found the back door slightly opened and the door frame busted. Deputies entered the residence searching for suspects that may have still been inside the residence. The home was unoccupied, however, the home had been ransacked and in total disorder. It was determined that multiple items had been stolen during the burglary, including seven firearms.
MCSO investigators were able to locate the owner of the white Ford Explore and subsequently identified all three suspects responsible for the package thefts and residential burglary. Therefore, investigators have arrested Shedrick O'Neal Johnson Jr., 18, of Madison. Johnson as charged with burglary of a residential structure and seven counts of grand theft of firearms. Investigators have also obtained active felony warrant for Del'Mon Ezekiel Johnson, 19; and Willie Wonderful Boatman, 17. Both Johnson and Boatman are evading arrest, according to MCSO.
As investigation continues, investigators have recovered five of the stolen firearms hidden in an abandoned house located on SE Gillislee Street, in Madison.
At this time, a description and photos of Johnson and Boatman are not available. Investigation remains active and additional charges are pending. Anyone with information regarding this investigation including the whereabouts of Johnson and Boatman, and/or the remaining stolen firearms, are asked to contact MCSO at (850) 973-4001, ext. 1.