UPDATE: Tip from citizen foils burglary; deputies involved in high-speed chase to Birmingham

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July 11, 2012

UPDATE: Tip from citizen foils burglary; deputies involved in high-speed chase to Birmingham

By David Palmer The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Wed Jul 11, 2012, 02:10 PM CDT

DODGE CITY — An early-morning call from a motorist apparently foiled a burglary, which escalated into a high-speed chase south along Interstate 65 Wednesday morning.

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call at 4:13 a.m. from a motorist driving past Dodge City Discount Tobacco on Alabama Highway 69. The motorist noticed three men bringing items out of the store, which had a broken front window.

Deputies dispatched to the scene saw a maroon Mazda leaving the area and gave chase. The Mazda drove to the interstate and began speeding south. At Warrior, the local police department joined the chase, with speeds reaching over 100-miles-per-hour. Birmingham police also became involved when the car passed into their jurisdiction, said Cullman County Sheriff Mike Rainey.

The suspects’ car pulled into old U.S. 31 and wrecked. Three people fled on foot and remain at large.

“We didn’t have enough personnel at the scene to set up a wide enough perimeter, even though Birmingham brought a tracking dog to the scene,” Rainey said. “We know that the suspects are three black males from the description received at the burglary and from what deputies and other officers gathered during the chase.”

Inside the suspects’ vehicle, investigators found items that were reported stolen earlier from a Stuckey’s in Blount County.

“Investigators are looking at several incidents that occurred, including the Blount County burglary,” Rainey said. “It appears that the suspects took several large garbage cans from S&S Food in Dodge City and brought them to the front of the tobacco store to load up cigarettes and other items. They must have been spooked by the person who drove by and reported the burglary, because the cans were still there and full of items from the store.”

The large garbage cans remained outside the store late Wednesday afternoon, as store owner Hazel Radford spent much of the day cleaning up broken glass. Luckily, the thieves didn’t make away with much merchandise.

“The glass is everywhere, and it’s a big mess, but they didn’t get anything,” Radford said.

Investigators are continuing to look at evidence and are asking anyone with additional information to call sheriff’s investigator Corey Freeman at 256-734-0342.

“One point that I’ve asked the citizens to do is help us out and report to us when they suspect illegal activity. I can’t say enough about how grateful we are for the person who called this morning. That call probably prevented a lot more damage and loss of property for the business owners,” Rainey said.

‰ Trent Moore contributed to this report.

‰ David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 213 or dpalmer@cullmantimes.com.

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UPDATE: Tip from citizen foils burglary; deputies involved in high-speed chase to Birmingham

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