A rash of thefts around East Brewton ended over the weekend with the arrest of two individuals who are suspects in several cases.
Joni Diamond, 29, and Jonathon Haveard, 19, were arrested Sunday by East Brewton officers with assistance from officers with the Brewton Police Department.
East Brewton Police Chief Kenny Brazile said the arrests came after weeks of investigations into property thefts around the city.
“We had reports of a rash of thefts of property from yards and storage sheds around the community over the past couple of weeks,” Brazile said. “We had been investigating the reports and had concluded Diamond and Haveard were suspects in several of the reports of stolen items.”
Brazile said the couple is believed to be responsible for thefts that include items including scrap metal.
“It’s easy to sell scrape metal and make a quick turnaround on some cash by selling it,” Brazile said. “We have had wonderful cooperation from buyers in the area who typically purchase those kinds of materials. We appreciate their cooperation in leading us to suspects in cases we’ve had.”
Brazile said the pair was charged with first-degree theft of property and criminal trespassing in connection with cases in the city.
“We are also considering these two as suspects in other cases of theft that we’re still working on,” Brazile said. “A church on Dailey Street was broken into last week and several items were reported stolen from the church. We are still following leads and will continue to investigate this case until we find who is responsible.”
Brazile said items taken from the Dailey Street church range from sound system equipment to musical instruments.
“This church had amplifiers, speakers, microphones and all sorts of sound equipment taken,” Brazile said. “There was a drum set, guitars and other musical instruments taken as well. We are asking that anyone who has information that could help in our investigation to contact us.”
Anyone with information about the church theft or any other theft cases in East Brewton is asked to contact police officials at 867-4864.