Haleyville men indicted for multi-county thefts
A listing for ammunition on Craigslist led to the arrest and recent indictments of two people accused of stealing items from homes in four different counties, authorities said.
Junior Dee Overton, 22, 281 8th St., Haleyville, was indicted on two counts of third-degree burglary, one count of first-degree theft of property, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree theft of property and possession of burglar’s tools.
Devon Chase Defoor, 19, 232 Tishomingo 177, Iuka, Miss., was indicted on two counts of third-degree burglary, one count of first-degree theft of property, second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree theft of property.
Franklin County District Attorney said the alleged burglaries took place in September of 2013.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, a 17-year-old female was also arrested on similar charges linked to the same cases but her name could not be released due to her juvenile status.
According to Oliver, the arrests were the result community members and law enforcement working together.
“We had a burglary on Highway 75 earlier [in September] where several different items were stolen,” Oliver said.
“While the case was under investigation, a man who is friends with the victim in the case was looking on the Craigslist website and noticed a listing for ammo that matched the description of ammo that had been stolen at the Highway 75 residence.”
Oliver said the man called the victim who then contacted law enforcement.
“Investigators set up a meeting on Monday with the person selling the ammunition,” he said.
“Investigators were able to track the stolen ammunition back to Junior Overton, and they brought him in for questioning.”
Oliver said Overton confessed to the break-in on Franklin 75 and agreed to lead authorities to the stolen property.
“When investigators got to where the stolen items were, they discovered more items that ended up being linked to break-ins in Colbert, Lawrence, and Tishomingo, Miss.,” he said.
Investigators said the stolen items included guns, jewelry, chainsaws, TVs, power tools, money and other items.
“This case just goes to show that when the community is looking out for one another, it helps law enforcement get these people off the street and get their property returned to them,” Oliver said.
Rushing said both cases would be set for arraignment in April.
