VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - Five people are facing charges in multiple states after being accused of going on a car break-in spree.
The Valdosta Police Department says that on Aug. 15, officers responded to the Drury Inn located at 1327 North Saint Augustine Road. When they arrived, multiple victims reported that their cars had been entered illegally and property had been stolen.
The next day, VPD was contacted by authorities in Coffee County, Tennessee about the arrest of five people. They said that they were arrested after fleeing from law enforcement in a stolen vehicle out Miami, Fla.
Inside the car, several guns were found as well as ammunition, laptop computers and clothing, some of the items coming back as stolen out of Valdosta.
According to VPD, authorities also found a duty weapon and detective duty holster belonging to a Brunswick, Ga. police officer.
The Coffee County Investigators interviewed the offenders and 3 out of the 5 confessed to having left the Ft. Lauderdale area all together on the evening of August 14, in the stolen vehicle.
They then traveled up I-95 to Brunswick, where they broke into a police officer’s vehicle and stole his duty weapon and badge.
They say the men confessed to traveling down 84 to Valdosta and breaking into the vehicles in the city of Valdosta and then advised that they traveled up I-75 to Byron, Ga. where they sold some items to the pawn shop, continued to Augusta, Ga., and visited family.
They were then arrested in Tennessee.
The Ft. Lauderdale Police Department also contacted the Valdosta Police Department about the case because they were investigating the offenders in connection with a homicide and a rape.
Police say arrest warrants were issued for the rape on two of the offenders where they had live streamed a gang rape on Facebook.
The following people were arrested:
Dontavius Jamar Butler, 17:
- Charged with Rape in Florida.
- (Multiple counts) Theft from Vehicle (Felony)
- (Multiple counts) Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor).
Maurice Rodrea Thomas Jr., 17:
- Charged with Rape in Florida.
- Person of Interest in the Fort Lauderdale Homicide
- (Multiple counts) Theft from Vehicle (Felony)
- (Multiple counts) Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor).
Karvis Christian David, 20:
- (Multiple counts) Theft from Vehicle (Felony)
- (Multiple counts) Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor).
- Byron PD will be seeking further warrants.
Miguel James Harvey, 18:
- (Multiple counts) Theft from Vehicle (Felony)
- (Multiple counts) Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor).
Dean Hyatt, 18:
- (Multiple counts) Theft from Vehicle (Felony)
- (Multiple counts) Criminal Trespass Vandalism (Misdemeanor).
Detectives were able to recover a total of $10,468.00 of stolen property from the Valdosta area.
A total of 50 arrest warrants were signed on the five individuals (45 Felony Theft from Vehicle & 5 Criminal Trespass Misdemeanor).
VPD says multiple outside agencies also have charges pending.
