THOMAS CO., GA (WALB) - Robert Carter II has been found and is in custody.
According to Steve Jones with the Thomas County Sheriff's Office, Carter was found by K-9 under a bridge off Highway 188.
Several law enforcement agencies and K-9 units helped move along the search efforts.
We are waiting to hear from investigators on what his specific charges will be.
Deanna Shirey, 71, is still missing, according to Captain Jones.
Investigators say that Carter is strongly believed to be connected to Shirey, because of the evidence they said they found.
This is a developing story and we will continue to update.
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THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - Authorities arrested Robert Carter Sunday afternoon.
A perimeter was set up where Carter was last seen Sunday morning.
Several law enforcement agencies led by the Thomas County Sheriff's Office set up on a perimeter of an area where Carter was last seen Sunday morning and actively tracked him.
Multiple agencies had a command unit set up at a camp site where they believe Carter had been staying.
Everyone who lived where authorities were searching had been checked on and was aware of Carter's presence in the area.
This is developing story.
THOMAS CO., GA (WALB) - According to Maurice Holmes, Thomasville Police Captain, a reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for any information directly leading to the arrest of Robert Carter II.
Thomasville Police says they are following all leads as tips come in; they will go to any area of interest, not just one particular area.
In a statement, the family said:
"We would like to continue to thank the efforts of the Thomasville, GBI, Tallahassee and other supporting agencies who are working tirelessly to keep the community safe, apprehend Robert Carter, and return Deanna Shirey home safe. We also can not say "Thank You!" enough to all the people and businesses in the community for your outpouring of love, prayers and support! These actions are where our family is drawing strength. Our faith is keeping our hope alive.
We children do NOT know Robert Carter. We have been told by friends in town that he has done some handyman work for mom and other friends. We have been told that he is armed and on the run. That makes him dangerous. Please share his photo, and continue to call 911 with any information you may have. Protect yourselves and your families from any heartbreak like our family and the two families he attacked in the previous 48 hours have had to endure. There is now a reward for Robert Carter's arrest and conviction.
We as a family are also offering a reward for the return of Deanna Shirey. We know someone out there has more information on mom's whereabouts. We can not beg you enough to come forward and return Deanna to her family! We will continue to work with and pray for mom's return and the capture of Robert Carter to ensure the families in Thomas County are once again safe!"
THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - The search continues for a wanted man in connection to the disappearance of 70-year-old Deanna Shirey.
As of 4:00 a.m. Saturday, the Thomasville Police Department says they have knocked on all doors in the area and subdivisions in Ochlocknee, Ga. surrounding Friday night's incident to check on residents.
Thomasville Police states a helicopter searched the area with infrared devices, but they were unable to locate Robert Carter.
Authorities believe he is still in the Ochlocknee area and are telling residents to continue to be vigilant, check on friends and neighbors, and call 911 if you see any suspicious activity.
According to the Thomas County Sheriff's Office, on Friday at about 10:45 p.m. Carter held three people hostage in a residence in Ochlocknee before running on foot out the back door as deputies were arriving at the front door.
TCSO originally stated the victims were three women but it turns out the victims were a mother, a father, and a son.
It is confirmed that the family is all okay, physically.
Our sister station, WALB, reports that Carter is now a suspect in different cases and the connection is, he did handy work and construction work for several residential people.
Thomasville Police says if you had handyman or painting work done by Carter, to be extremely cautious because it appears that he has done work for the last several houses he broke into.
If you have any information relevant to the investigation call Thomasville Police at 229-226-2101.
THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - A car driven by a wanted man in connection to the disappearance of 70-year-old Deanna Shirey has been found.
The Thomasville Police Department found the white Toyota Tacoma driven by Robert Carter on Cemetery Road in Ochlocknee on Friday.
Thomasville Police however say they still do not know the location of Carter and want residents to continue to show his photo to everyone they know and see.
Police say it is unknown at this time if he is in another vehicle.
THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - As authorities continue to investigate, Deanna Shirey's entire family is still holding on to hope that she will return home.
Monday July 2, was a terrifying day for the family of Shirey.
"She's the type of person that when we call or text or text her she returns it within the hour," said Nick Abiusi, son-in-law. "So when we did not hear from her and her car disappeared overnight we knew immediately something was wrong."
It is out of the ordinary for Shirey to disappear.
"She has no known mental illness or any reason to leave the family or walk away from her home," said Abiusi. "This is totally out of character for her."
The entire family is working tirelessly with authorities to figure out where she is.
"The feeling we are experiencing is sickening, we are all robbed with fear and worry. You see things on the news and think that would never happen to someone you know and love. I pray that this doesn't happen to any other family," said Abiusi. "I would not want anyone to go through the pain and suffering that we are right now and looking for our mom."
His message to Shirey if she's listening:
"Mom, we're praying that you're out there and you're watching this. We're asking you please let us know where you are, we'll come get you. Your family needs you," said Abiusi.
Abiusi says he'd also like to the thank the community of Thomasville for their support and would like to thank all of the agencies for trying to get Shirey home.
THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - The Thomasville Police Department believes a man wanted for aggravated assault may be connected to the disappearance of 70-year-old Deanna Shirey.
Police say Robert Lee Carter II, 46, is currently wanted for aggravated assault with the intent to murder, rape or rob. According to TPD, the aggravated assault took place Thursday in Thomasville.
They say he stole a woman's car from her home on Sherwood Loop after assaulting her.
Carter is also wanted for questioning in a recent missing person case and should be considered armed and dangerous.
He was last seen in between Thomasville and Tallahassee, according to police. He was last known to be traveling in a white 2007 Toyota Tacoma with Georgia tag AJN1924.
He is also a registered sex offender in the state of Georgia. According to the Georgia Sex Offender Registry, Carter was charged with aggravated child molestation in Georgia back in February of 2001.
If you have any information, call 227-3302, 225-4151, or dial 9-1-1. If you come in contact with this subject, DO NOT approach. Call 9-1-1.
We have reached out to police and are waiting to hear back.
THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - The search continues for a missing 70-year-old woman as law enforcement says they do not have any new information at this time.
The Thomasville Police Department says detectives are still processing items of potential evidence and following up on leads in the disappearance of Deanna Shirey.
Thomasville Police wants residents to continue to share her picture to increase awareness about her disappearance.
Thomasville Police, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Tallahassee Police Department are still working on any possible leads.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or the Thomasville Police Department at (336) 475-4260.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Police in Tallahassee and Thomasville, along with agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, are working together to find a 70-year-old woman they believe may be in danger.
Police are looking for 70-year-old Deanna Shirey. Shirey is described as being 5-foot-5 tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
A location where she was last seen was not provided by law enforcement. The missing persons report indicates that Shirey is believed to be in danger, though the circumstances are unclear.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed they were called to assist the Thomasville Police Department in a missing person's case after a maroon Honda SUV belonging to Shirey was found near Carter Howell Strong Park in Tallahassee.
Shirley is believed to reside in Thomasville.
Thomasville Police are now at a home in the 1200 block of Glenwood Drive in Thomasville, where they have roped off the home with crime tape. Tallahassee Police are also on Georgia Street with Shirey's car.
So far, we haven't been able to get an update from Thomasville PD, as they're busy working the scene and Tallahassee Police say they are simply assisting in this investigation.
Thomasville police say they stopped by Shirey's home Monday night on Glenwood Drive to do a wellness check. She didn't answer the door, but her car was in the driveway.
The officers checked-in on Shirey again Tuesday morning. She still didn't answer, but her car was no longer there.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or the Thomasville Police Department at (336) 475-4260.
