By Staff Report
A North Carolina man is behind bars in Washington County on multiple felony charges stemming from a suspicious person call on My 24.
The suspicious person and vehicle were located at Potter Springs Road and Highway 79. As deputies were enroute to the location, they spotted a vehicle matching the description given by the caller heading north on Highway 79 near Millers Ferry Road that was experiencing vehicle problems.
Deputies made contact with the driver, who was identified as 62-year-old Richard Hamilton Rodgers.
After running a check of Rodgers’ driver’s license and the license plate, it was found Rodgers is on probation in Bay County for burglary vehicle. The check also showed the vehicle was not registered to Rodgers.
According to WCSO, Rodgers created an elaborate story to justify his possession of the vehicle. A call to the registered owner of the vehicle found the vehicle had been stolen.
Deputies searched the vehicle and found several stolen items. Further investigation revealed two other vehicles had been burglarized in the same location in Ebro where Rodgers had stolen the vehicle from.
Rodgers is charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, two counts of burglary of unoccupied conveyance, armed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and VOP-Bay County.
All stolen items have been recovered.
GARRETT VALCOURT