The Troup County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two individuals who allegedly tried to back into a local gun business in a stolen vehicle, causing extensive damage to the building.

According to a press release from TCSO, Jaquan Harris, 18, and Jaylon Wesley, 20, should be considered armed and dangerous. Both are wanted for numerous charges in Troup County, as well as neighboring counties, after several incidents during the last week. A 16-year-old juvenile allegedly involved has already been arrested, following a possible shoplifting incident at Walmart. 

“More than likely, if they are going to get back to Columbus, which is where they are from, odds are that they aren’t going to walk,” said Sgt. Stewart Smith with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office. “Somebody is going to probably pick these guys up, and if they know the names or know where they are hiding out, we stress that they call us or call Crime Stoppers.”

The TCSO responded to a burglary alarm at Full Metal Jacket Armory on West Point Road Wednesday morning at 3:28 a.m. Once on the scene, they discovered the wall on the north side of the building had significant damage, which appeared to be caused by a vehicle. 

“They pushed in a rock wall. They basically used their car and backed into it six or seven times and never gained access,” said Mark Burton, owner of Full Metal Jacket Armory. “They ended up leaving.”

The suspects hit a water line as they were leaving the scene, and Burton said he estimates the damage will be between $20,000 and $35,000 in damage.  Full Metal Jacket Armory has an indoor firing range and gun store. 

A short time later, at 4:03 a.m., officers with the LaGrange Police Department were dispatched to a possible shoplifting in progress call at Walmart on New Franklin Road. As officers were investigating, they found a Kia Sportage with extensive damage in the parking lot. The Sportage matched the vehicle shown on video at the Full Metal Jacket Armory incident. 

The juvenile was allegedly determined to be in possession of marijuana and was placed under arrest. As that was taking place, Harris and Wesley left the scene. 

“Once the officer connected the vehicle to them, the two adults took off running,” said Captain Kelli Ellington with the TCSO. 

The juvenile was charged with two counts of criminal damage to property in the second degree, criminal attempted burglary, possession of a firearm during the commission of a certain crime, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana less than an ounce. 

Harris and Wesley managed to get away from the scene. Ellington said anyone who comes into contact with them should consider them dangerous.

“We found a gun. We think they more than likely had more guns on them, so it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Ellington said. 

Once arrested, Harris and Wesley will be charged with two counts of criminal damage to property in the second degree, criminal attempt burglary, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a certain crime.

Harris and Wesley are wanted for several charges in other counties. The Kia Sportage they were driving was allegedly stolen out of Columbus, according to the TCSO press release. They also have charges pending in Harris County for two counts of criminal attempt burglary and two counts of criminal damage to property in the second degree.

According to Sgt. John Goodrich with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the three suspects were involved in two different incident at Hamilton Gun and Pawn. The first incident was in March, and the second allegedly happened Sunday. In the second attempt, Goodrich said they attempted to back into the pawn shop.

“You see a vehicle pull up and you see two or three individuals peering through the window of the pawn shop, and they move a bench from the area where they eventually backed the vehicle into the building,” said Captain Jim Price with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. “They backed it up, got a running start, and hit it with the rear of the vehicle and almost came all the way in the building. As soon as they did, the alarm went off, and you could see them jump back in the vehicle and take off.”

Goodrich said the same individuals were allegedly involved in a similar crime on March 15 at the same pawn shop. According to the video from that night, Price said they broke out the glass with a sledgehammer or crowbar, but as soon as the alarm went off, they left.

“Neither time did they gain entry,” Price said. “When the alarm went off, they jetted.”

Goodrich said the two incidents in Harris County allegedly caused around $7,500 in damage.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Troup County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 883-1616 or Crime Stoppers at (706) 812-1000.