DAPHNE, Ala. — Clayton A. Johnson, 19, of Daphne, has been charged with one count of first-degree property theft, two counts of second-degree burglary and more charges could be added, according to Daphne police, who said the investigation is …
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DAPHNE, Ala. — Clayton A. Johnson, 19, of Daphne, has been charged with one count of first-degree property theft, two counts of second-degree burglary and more charges could be added, according to Daphne police, who said the investigation is ongoing.
Johnson was arrested Monday at 2:30 p.m. following a police pursuit that began at Patrician Drive in Spanish Fort; he fled on foot to a Lancaster Way home in Lake Forest, according to authorities.
About $2,000 in stolen goods were found in the passenger seat and floor of the stolen 2004 Chevrolet Colorado and in Johnson’s home, the Daphne Police Department reported.
Police found jewelry and electronics among the stolen items, which they believe are connected to 10 to 15 other burglaries, Lt. Jud Beedy said.
Locations of the crimes include: Stratford Glen, Lake Forest and Sommerset in Baldwin County — which police determined after tracing lap-top computer registrations and digital camera images to locations and vehicle tag numbers, he said.
Johnson might face subsequent charges once items’ values and theft methods have been determined.
“He may face theft in the third degree or breaking and entering a vehicle,” Beedy said.
Johnson at around 6 a.m. on Monday allegedly stole a truck from Taylor Engineering, returned it and stole it again at around 8:30 a.m. when he was seen by Officer Dejuan Jackson, according to police.
Police pursued the stolen truck to Patrician Drive in Spanish Fort, where Johnson jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot from officers, Beedy said. Johnson was captured at Pinehill Road and Third Avenue in Daphne.
Spanish Fort police, Alabama State Troopers and K-9s from Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore aided in the arrest.
Johnson has been charged with a burglary that allegedly occurred between 6 and 8 a.m. at a Whispering Pines Road home where a family slept. The second break-in occurred at a Lancaster Way home when Johnson tried to elude police, Beedy said.
If Johnson is convicted of the truck theft — a class B felony — he may serve from two to 20 years in prison and pay up to $30,000 in fines, police said.
If he is convicted of the two burglaries — class C felonies — he may serve from one year and one day, to 10 years, in prison and pay no less than $15,000 in fines in addition as the court rules, Beedy said.
The family’s presence at one of the alleged burglaries may cause heavier sentencing, he said.