DCSO investigates theft of A/C unit parts
Published 7:50 pm Tuesday, July 17, 2018
On July 13 at approximately 6:01 p.m., Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Kelly responded to a property damage call on Bethel Road, where offenders had stolen internal materials from A/C units.
When Kelly arrived on scene, he made contact with Kenneth McAnelly, who was watching over the home while the homeowner was away. McAnelly told officers that an unknown person had caused extensive damage to the homeowner’s A/C unit, stealing internal copper parts from the unit and causing approximately $5,000 worth of damage.
McAnelly told officers he spoke with nearby residents, who told him they saw a white, four-door mid-sized car parked in the yard and the A/C unit smoking.
Kelly made contact with DCSO Investigator Terry Phillips, who took the case from there.
Phillips was able to identify the car as one belonging to Gabrielle Amos. They approached her in the Dollar Tree parking lot, along with Christopher Amos. Investigators asked both if they had anything to do with the recent theft of irrigation wire and stolen A/C unit components. Gabrielle denied any involvement and had a voluntary interview with Phillips. Christopher refused to answer the questions asked and would not let officers search his car after they noticed a pair of wire cutters.
With no confession, Phillips decided to see if SmithCo Recycling may have any evidence or sale records, indicating if anything stolen was sold.
SmithCo was able to provide officers a sale record of items they received from Christopher and Gabrielle on Friday, July 13.
Phillips then made contact with both offenders. Gabrielle agreed to meet and discuss the matter, but did not show up to the location and could not be reached via cell. Christopher refused to provide a location to meet and discuss and would not give a current home address.
Phillips told Christopher he would seek an arrest warrant, unless he could explain the situation and Christopher hung up.
DSCO was able to retrieve the stolen parts from SmithCo and match them up to the A/C unit and have served warrants for Amos arrest.
