Teen accused of burglary, stealing car

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 3, 2016

Judge: Suspect has list of previous charges

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

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LaGRANGE — A LaGrange teenager with a lengthy list of charges faced a Troup County Magistrate Court Judge Thursday morning to hear a new list of charges against him.

Jaquilose Tysean Williams, 17, was accused of burglary, felony theft, felony theft of a vehicle and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

LaGrange Police Detective Jeremy Jones told the court sometime between Feb. 2 and 3, Williams allegedly kicked open the door to a business at 418 Main St., stole car keys and then a Toyota Camry.

Jones said detectives were able to lift the print of a shoe from the door. The detectives testified the print came back to a Nike Airforce One tennis shoe, size 11.

Jones also told the court during this time there was a rash of stolen vehicles in the city. One of them, another Toyota Camry, was located in the parking lot of the old Unity School on Park Avenue. Jones said it appeared there was mud caked all over the bottom of the vehicle, like someone had been “mudding” in it.

Detective John Slonaker testified when Williams was arrested, investigators found ski masks, screwdrivers and gloves near the teen’s location.

Sloanaker also stated they discovered a car key on Williams and he had size 10 1/2 Nike Airforce One shoes.

The detective said he took the key from Williams and confirmed it worked on the stolen Toyota Camry. Detectives believe this may also able to tie the teen to another stolen vehicle discovered stuck in mud in an open field off Kelley Street.

Police called a tow truck company, but the workers were unable to free the car from the mud. The vehicle was left in the field until the area could dry out, Slonaker said. When LPD officers returned, the car was gone.

“But someone was able to steal it,” Slonaker stated. “We think that someone was Mr. Williams.”

Troup County Magistrate Court Judge Vickie Sue McWaters found probable cause to bind Williams’ case over to Troup County Superior Court.

Williams’ defense attorney, Clifford Rhoades, asked McWaters for bond.

She instead read off a list of prior charges against Williams, which started in July 2014 — when he was 14 years old. The charges included theft, robbery, two counts of possession of a schedule 4 narcotic drug and participation in a criminal street gang.

“His past tells me he will continue to threaten the property of other people again,” McWaters stated. “So I order him held without bond until he goes before Troup County Superior Court.”

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter at the LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.