Three charged with stealing van, ATVs in Randolph County, bringing into Troup

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 11, 2016

Public Safety Reports

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

Lester

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_Lester-Joshua-Lamar.jpgLester

Collier

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_Collier-Kyler-Logan.jpgCollier

Benefield

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_Benefield-Brandon-Forrest.jpgBenefield

Jones

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_Jones.jpgJones

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Investigators with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday evening they arrested three men for stealing a van and bringing stolen ATVs across the state line into Georgia.

Joshua Lamar Lester, 19; Kyler Logan Collier, 19; and Brandon Forrest Benefield, 21, were arrested and processed at the Troup County Jail on theft charges, stated investigators.

Law enforcement officials were able to locate the stolen van and two ATVs taken during this case.

Investigators allege the suspects brought the four-wheelers — stolen in Randolph County, Alabama — into Georgia.

Officials said the suspects are charged with felony theft of a vehicle and face additional counts for the ATVs.

The three men will also face more charges in Alabama, investigators added.

Woman charged after alleged road rage

Investigators with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office also arrested a female driver after she allegedly struck another vehicle intentionally several times on Roanoke Road on Jan. 8.

Nikita K. Jones, 26, of Valley, Alabama, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault.

According to investigators, Jones and the victim know each other.

A 2-year-old child and another adult were inside the victim’s car, officials said. No one was hurt.

Jones was being held at the Troup County Jail this morning.

Juvenile arrested when officers catch burglary in progress

LaGrange police responded to a home in the 600 block of Harwell Avenue about 10:45 p.m. Friday after someone spotted two males enter the house through a window.

Officers said when they arrived on scene, they saw two males on the side of the residence carrying out a TV.

According to the officers, the males immediately took off running.

Police stated they immediately caught one juvenile male, who was carrying some property stolen from the home.

The second suspect got away.

The homeowner told police the suspects either stole or tried to get away with a 55-inch LG TV, four watches and a prescription bottle with Hydrocodone. The estimated value was about $1,425.

Anyone with information is asked to call LaGrange Police Detective Jason Duncan at 706-883-2617 or Sgt. Robert Kirby at 706-883-2614.

Attempted burglary

Someone tried to get some extra change at the Smile Mart Laundromat at 426 S. Greenwood St.

The owner called police about 7:30 a.m. Sunday when he noticed someone broke in the front door and attempted to take the change machine.

He told police it happened some time between 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

The suspects were unable to get any change or the machine from the store, according to the report.

The burglar caused more than $1,500 damage, the owner said.

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases. It is the policy of the Daily News to list the names of people charged with felonies.

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