Seven Macon people have been arrested for a series of burglaries in Bibb and surrounding counties.
Bibb Chief Deputy David Davis led the effort, working with the Macon Police Department, Jones County Sheriff's Office, the Houston County Sheriff's Office and the Bibb County District Attorney's Office.
The tipping point came when Macon Police investigators recovered stolen items working a theft case in the city. The MPD notified the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, who verified the items were stolen from a south Bibb residence.
They charged Phillip Edward Harrell, Jr., with Burglary, and Aubrey Elaine April with felony Theft by Deception, felony Theft by Receiving and Burglary.
Investigators in Jones County arrested Joe Shane Saip for several burglaries there and in the process, recovered items reported stolen out of Bibb County too. BSO investigators were notified and have filed burglary charges, which Saip will face when he's satisfied his Jones County charges.
BSO investigators also charged two suspects in connection with two different March burglaries in north Bibb: James Edgar Bedgood, Jr., and Sterling Scott Combs.
A former Kinetex employee, Taylor Blake Tomberlin, was arrested on May 22 for burglarizing the fitness gym. He is also accused of opening new customer accounts but keeping the money for himself. He's been charged with Burglary, Fiduciary Theft and a Probation Violation.
Houston County investigators recovered items stolen by a burglary ring that worked through north Bibb and pawned the goods in surrounding counties for an estimated $40,000 in cash, well under the retail value. MPD also connected the suspects to thefts inside Macon city limits.
One suspect, Satorah Trinee Morris, was arrested on April 25, and charged with Theft by Receiving. After she was released on a $4,050 bond the same evening, she was then arrested on May 4 and released on $12,500 bond.
Other suspects in the same string of day-time burglaries have been identified and additional arrests are expected to take place soon.
The Bibb Sheriff's Office is asking for help locating 27-year-old Joey Montana Smith, who is believed to have worked with Morris on the north Bibb burglaries. His last known listed address is in the Houston Avenue area.
Many of the recovered items have been returned to the owners. BSO investigators urge anyone missing items or with information about these incidents to call 478-746-9441.