Good Samaritan apprehends, holds suspects in burglary

Published 2:56 pm Monday, January 22, 2018

Three people have been arrested for the of the Andalusia Armory after a good Samaritan interrupted the burglary and held the suspects at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived early Sunday morning.

According to a press release from the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, a man who lives near the Andalusia Armory, located on U.S. Hwy. 29 South, heard a vehicle slow down and idle near the business three times. The man went and sat in the bushes near his house, and saw the vehicle return and drop off two suspects wearing camouflage and bandanas over their faces.

The man, who was armed, confronted the suspects at the front of Andalusia Armory. The suspects surrendered and got down on the ground. When the driver returned, he also surrendered.

The man called for help at approximately 2:07 a.m.

When deputies and the Andalusia Police Department arrived, the man turned over the suspects.

Sgt. Taylor of the CCSO and Officer LaGraff of APD observed that the front door of Andalusia Armory had been busted out. They cleared the business for any other suspects.

Investigator Fields worked the case.

Sgt. Taylor recovered four guns in the suspects’ vehicle. When the suspects were interviewed, they stated there were nine more firearms in an abandoned cabin located off of Zell Ready Road.

Jake Alan Cox, 18, was charged with burglary third, theft of property second and criminal mischief third. He is being held in the county jail on a $23,000 bond.

The other two suspects are juveniles, and were transported to Youth Service in Dothan.

Chief Deputy David Anderson said the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

Sheriff Dennis Meeks expressed his thanks to the good Samaritan for his actions and assistance in the case.