Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Burglary Suspect Subdued After Struggling With Deputy

   A suspect in a burglary attempt in northern Lawrence County Monday afternoon was subdued and captured in the wake of a struggle with his arresting officer.

   When deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the Ratliff Road home of the sixty-one-year-old victim at the request of a neighbor. The complainant reported she had noticed a man attempting to break into her neighbor’s basement around 5:15 p.m. She described the man as a white male with long black hair, wearing blue jeans with a black shirt draped over his shoulder. She told deputies that she had attempted to telephone her neighbor, but had received no response. Authorities later learned that the resident had not been home.

   While en route to the scene, one deputy noticed a man with shoulder length brown hair wearing blue jeans and a black and red shirt walking along Ratliff Road. He reports he questioned the man about his presence, then asked the witness if he was the man in question. The witness indicated that he was not the burglar, and the man was quickly returned to his home nearby.

   While en route to offer assistance in the investigation Deputy Allan Hardy reported he had encountered a man matching the description given, walking along Barnsville Road. Other deputies quickly responded to the site when Hardy requested assistance. They arrived to find that Hardy already had the man in custody.

   In his report, Hardy indicates he had attempted to conduct a field interview with the suspect, but that he had become very agitated and aggressive, then began to struggle with him. He reports that he attempted to use a chemical spray to immobilize the suspect but that high velocity of winds prevented the device from being very effective. Hardy indicates he was then forced to use an impact weapon and “hands-on control techniques” to subdue him.

   Once deputies had the suspect, Lonnie Morris Owens, 28, of 527 Barnsville Road, in custody, they report a search of his person was conducted. They report locating approximately five grams of marijuana in his pocket, along with rolling papers.

   As a result of the incident Owens was booked on charges that include aggravated burglary, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled to answer the charges through Lawrence County General Sessions Court on April 14.

   Deputies determined that no entry was made during the burglary attempt, and that nothing appeared to be missing from the home.

.

.