Jeffery Lee Martin, 42, whose last known address was Town & Country Motel on New Franklin Road, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery, three counts of burglary and one count of entering an auto.
Martin allegedly broke a window to enter a house in the 700 block of Camellia Drive about 6:45 a.m., but an audible alarm went off and the 72-year-old homeowner called 911.
About 15 to 20 minutes later, a police officer and canine tracked the burglar less than 1,000 yards through a lightly wooded pasture to the woman’s residence on Norwood. He heard the woman screaming for help and entered through the front door as the burglar went out the back door. Officers saw him running and gave chase, but lost him in the woods.
Officers continued searching the area with two canines and a helicopter from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. About 9:30 a.m., Martin was arrested while walking along railroad tracks on Miller Street. Police said physical evidence tied him to the crimes.
He allegedly took miscellaneous items from the home on Norwood, but nothing significant, said detective Capt. Dale Strickland.
Police said they also linked Martin to two other crimes late Friday night - a burglary in the 100 block of Ewing Street and an entering an auto in the 100 block of Wynnwood Drive. He also was wanted in Meriwether County for violating a probated sentence by entering an auto.
“This investigation is continuing and it is anticipated that Martin will be charged with other burglaries, entering autos, and property damage that occurred in that area within the past two days,” police said in a press release.
Anyone with more information was asked to call investigators at (706) 883-2633, 883-2621 or 883-2623 or Crime Stoppers at 812-1000.
Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.
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