WR man arrested after theft from dealership

MACON, Ga. — A Warner Robins man is behind bars after a chase that took place in Bibb County last weekend.

According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, around midnight on Nov. 12, deputies received a call from the general manager of Riverside Ford dealership in Macon, who had observed on video a man breaking into cars.

The suspect stole six catalytic converters from their vehicles. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team responded to the call.

Deputies located the suspect in the back parking lot and caught him in the act, where he escaped through a hole he previously cut into the fence. He then fled the scene through the woods and into a waiting getaway car parked on the shoulder of the interstate: a silver Volvo S40.

The foot chase became a vehicle chase, starting on I-75 South, turning onto I-16 East and then ending on Ocmulgee East Boulevard. The suspect accelerated to 90 mph, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment just before the Twiggs County line.

The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Jack Randall Wallace of Warner Robins, was treated for broken bones and a bruised lung sustained in the crash, and then later taken into custody. No deputies were injured from the chase.

Wallace was charged with six counts of Felony Theft by Taking, six counts of Second Degree Criminal Damage to Property, Felony Fleeing and Eluding, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime and Willful Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer.

Lt. Sean DeFoe, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office’s lead public information officer, provided details and reflected on the incident with The Journal.

DeFoe mentioned that stealing catalytic converters is a crime seen nationwide, praising the dealership for staying alert.

“We’re glad we were able to capture this guy,” DeFoe said. “Stealing catalytic converters, that’s a problem throughout the entire United States.

“The dealership was vigilant, they put up cameras, which helps out the case as far as collecting the evidence, and they were able to quickly notify our law enforcement about this. Instead of taking matters into their own hands, they contacted law enforcement and, of course, we were able to arrive on the scene and interact with [Wallace.]”

As of press time, Wallace is currently in custody at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center.

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