Over the past week, SPD officers have taken several reports for non-forced entering autos from parking lots on Northside Drive East. These occurred late at night and the suspect was captured on security video.
Detectives assigned to the case exhausted the tips which were called in and proceeded on the assumption that the suspect might reside nearby. They conducted a ground search of wooded areas near Northside Drive East and located a camp.
Armed with a photo of the suspect, they confirmed his identity at that campsite and took him into custody. Jody Simpson (52, formerly of Kentucky) was transported to the Bulloch County Jail charged with 4 counts of Entering Auto and 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
He remains there pending further judicial action. SPD urges all citizens to make locking their vehicles part of a daily routine, along with removing valuables, especially firearms. Anyone with information on this case should contact Det. Dustin Hardin at 912- 764- 9911 or submit an anonymous tip to www.tipsoft.com or by texting 274637 and entering “TIPSSPD” plus your message.
