The police operation began around 3 a.m. after officers received alerts about suspicious activity involving two individuals rummaging through vehicles in the 300 block of 1st Street South. Responding swiftly, multiple police units, including a K-9 team, arrived at the scene and quickly established a perimeter to contain the situation.

As law enforcement officers conducted their search, one suspect, whose appearance matched the description provided, attempted to flee. However, the suspect was soon captured and taken into custody, thanks to the coordinated police effort.

In a related incident, authorities reported that one of the suspects was caught trying to use a stolen credit card at a local Starbucks, further implicating them in the string of burglaries.

During the response, JBPD said an individual matching the description of a suspect ran away from the area, but was taken into custody a short time later.

While officers continued searching the area, JBPD said a K-9 found discarded clothing containing items later confirmed to be stolen from nearby vehicles. Video footage a victim provided, JBPD said, helped identify additional suspects and confirmed that at least four vehicles had been burglarized.

Over the next several hours, officers searched the area and located several additional individuals believed to be involved in the string of burglaries, according to JBPD. One suspect was found reportedly attempting to use a stolen credit card at a Starbucks, as stolen property was recovered from them and positively identified by victims.

Following the investigation, the police department said these three men were arrested:

• Walter Johnson – Arrested on burglary of a conveyance, grand theft, resisting without violence, fraudulent use of a credit card, and petit theft charges. The police department said he was also later connected to a separate burglary at Wendy’s.
• Malice Wheeler – Arrested on burglary of a conveyance, grand theft, and resisting without violence charges
• Cornelius Scott – Arrested on an outstanding warrant for petit theft

“This case would not have come together as efficiently without the outstanding work from dispatch,” JBPD said in its Facebook post. “While managing multiple active calls, PSCO II Georgeo assisted officers by monitoring city cameras, coordinating with JSO, and sending detailed CAD summaries of each vehicle burglary. Her situational awareness and support played a key role in keeping officers informed and the investigation moving forward. Excellent teamwork by patrol, K9, dispatch, and assisting agencies. Thank you to the victims and witnesses who provided information and video that helped bring this case together.”