The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has apparently solved a rash of burglaries and thefts in the Dowelltown and Dry Creek Road area with the arrest of two men Friday.
24 year old Allen R. Lester, Jr. of Church Street, Dowelltown is charged with twelve counts of burglary, three counts of theft property over $500, seven counts of theft under $500, and two counts of theft of property over $1,000. His bond totals $195,000 and he will be in court on January 31.
18 year old Ronald Deshon Reeder of Smith Road, Smithville is charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of theft of property under $500 and one count of theft over $500. Reeder’s bond is $16,000 and he will be in court January 31.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told WJLE Friday that the burglaries and thefts occurred on December 28 and from January 7-10 mostly in Dowelltown but also on Dry Creek Road in the area from New Home Road to the city limits of Smithville. There were nine victims altogether. Lester is accused of breaking into the Dowelltown Post Office, burglarizing automobiles of residents on South Mill Street, North Mill Street, Happy Valley Drive, Corley Street, Dry Creek Road, and the burglary of a shed/guest house on Corley Street, and an outbuilding on Dry Creek Road.
According to Sheriff Ray, Lester was responsible for the actual burglaries and thefts. In the case of the vehicles, he allegedly entered through an unlocked door in most instances and took what he could find, mostly guns and GPS devices, among other belongings. Reeder is charged with Lester in three of the crimes on Dry Creek Road because he rode along with Lester and sat in the vehicle, while Lester was out committing the burglaries and thefts, knowing what Lester was doing. Sheriff Ray said after Lester was identified as a suspect, detectives and officers of the Sheriff’s Department raided his home Friday and found most of stolen items.
Sheriff Ray credits his detectives for the long hours they put in on these cases. “I want to thank the detectives. My detectives have worked long and hard all week on this. They stayed up many nights and worked all day trying to spot out some people and do interviews. They’ve stayed up almost two days the last couple of days doing interviews. I want to commend them on a job well done. We also want to thank the public. We had some people who helped us out on things and we want to thank them for some information. We always want the public to know that we’re here to help our citizens in the county. Anytime anyone has any information they are more than welcome to call me at the jail or call the detectives. Our crime tip line 464-6400. You can remain anonymous and leave a tip,” said Sheriff Ray.
He also warns residents to keep their car doors locked and to secure valuables like guns and GPS devices in the trunk of your vehicle or in your home. ” It’s the hunting season but don’t leave weapons in your car. Secure them in your home. Keep GPS devices in the trunk and make sure all car doors are locked,” said Sheriff Ray.
Lester is charged in each of the following crimes:
Friday, December 28:
Lester allegedly broke into the Dowelltown Post Office and took three money orders; total value at $630 (Burglary and Theft over $500)
Monday, January 7:
Lester allegedly entered a vehicle on Corley Street, Dowelltown and took a Garmin GPS, phone car mount, fifteen Disney DVD movies, car charger, 20 music CDs, and a car safety kit; total value $1,010 (Burglary and Theft over $500)
Monday, January 7:
Lester allegedly entered a vehicle on Corley Street, Dowelltown and took an Ipod, adapter, charger, and a Garmin GPS; total value $540 (Burglary and Theft over $500)
Monday, January 7:
Lester allegedly entered a vehicle on North Mill Street, Dowelltown and took a Stevens over and under 22 caliber 20 gauge shotgun; total value at $400 (Burglary and Theft under $500)
Monday, January 7:
Lester allegedly entered a Jaguar on Corley Street, Dowelltown and took a Tom Tom GPS; total value at $125. (Burglary and Theft under $500)
Monday, January 7:
Lester allegedly entered a Chevy S-10 pickup on Corley Street, Dowelltown and took a Tom Tom GPS; total value at $125. (Burglary and Theft under $500)
Monday, January 7:
Lester allegedly broke into a shed/guest house on Corley Street, Dowelltown and took a 10 inch saw with laser guide; total value at $185. (Burglary and Theft under $500)
Tuesday, January 8:
Lester allegedly entered a vehicle on South Mill Street, Dowelltown and took a Remington rifle with scope, H&R rifle with scope, and a Smith & Wesson 270 rifle with scope; total value at $2,400 (Burglary and Theft over $1,000)
Tuesday, January 8:
Lester allegedly entered a Chevy S-10 pickup on Happy Valley Drive, Dowelltown and took a bottle of blood pressure pills; total value $25 (Burglary and Theft under $500)
Wednesday, January 9:
Lester allegedly entered a vehicle on Dry Creek Road and took clothes, change, a buck knife, hunting pouch, hat, vest, and 270 Winchester shells; total value at $273 (Burglary and Theft under $500) Reeder is charged in this case for allegedly participating in the offense of burglary and theft by going with Lester and having knowledge that a burglary and theft were being committed.
Thursday, January 10:
Lester allegedly entered a vehicle on Dry Creek Road and took a Tom Tom GPS, and seven cell phone chargers; total value at $250 (Burglary and Theft under $500). Reeder is charged in this case for allegedly participating in the offense of burglary and theft by going with Lester and having knowledge that a burglary and theft were being committed.
Thursday, January 10:
Lester allegedly broke into a building on Dry Creek Road and took a Play Station 3, money, a 250 piece cobalt socket set, a Brother sewing machine, and a pack of Pall Mall cigarettes; total value at $1,105 ( Burglary and Theft over $1,000). Reeder is charged in this case for allegedly participating in the offense of burglary and theft by going with Lester and having knowledge that a burglary and theft were being committed.
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