From Chief P.K. Johnson
Millbrook Police Department
William Jefferies, 27, of Ariton has been arrested in connection with three Millbrook burglaries.
On August 9, 2024, Millbrook police responded to a reported burglary of a church, which is located in the 5900 block of Main Street, where an unknown subject made unforced entry into the business, stealing a debit card belonging to the church. Detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigations Unit discovered that the offender attempted to use said debit card at several near-by businesses shortly after the commission of the offense.
On August 11, 2024, Millbrook police responded to a report of a burglary, which occurred at a business in the 200 block of Deatsville Highway, where an unknown subject made forcible entry into the business, stealing various electronics from said business.
On August 12, 2024, Millbrook police responded to a burglary committed at a business in the 200 block of Deatsville Highway, where an unknown subject made forcible entry into the business, stealing a cash box, which contained an undetermined amount of U.S. Currency.
Detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigations Units initiated an investigation into these burglaries, quickly developing a suspect, who they had dealt with on an unrelated recent case. Detectives were able to develop enough evidence to associate the suspect, later identified as William Jefferies, a 27-year-old Ariton resident, to each of the burglaries committed, after which time they placed a BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect.
On Friday, August 16, 2024, with-in one hour of having received information on the suspect, officers with the department’s Street Crimes Unit observed a vehicle, which they believed to be operated by Jefferies. They conducted an investigative traffic stop, at which time they positively identified Jefferies, who was detained. Detectives responded to the scene, where they were able to locate and recovery stolen property, which was taken from one of the victim businesses.
Jefferies was transported to the Millbrook Police Department, where he was later placed under arrest, being charged with the following offenses:
Burglary 3rd Degree (3 Counts)
Theft of Property 3rd Degree
Theft of Property 4th Degree (2 Counts)
Fraudulent Use of a Credit/Debit Card (2 Counts)
Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree
Jefferies was transported to the Elmore County Jail, where he remains under a $100,000.00 bond
We are extremely pleased to announce the arrest of the alleged offender in these cases. This is an example of great police work from every one of the officers involved in this case, from the detectives working the cases, who were able to quickly develop this individual as a suspect, to our Street Crimes Unit, who were able to locate and detain Jefferies, literally with-in an hour of having received information from our detectives, who were actively attempting to locate him.
In speaking with our detectives, I understand that there is a very high likelihood of additional charges being filed against Mr. Jefferies, as they continue their investigation. Our detectives were able to recover additional stolen property after completing their interview with him following his arrest.
In reviewing Mr. Jefferies’ booking photograph, which was taken following his arrest, I couldn’t help but notice that the alleged offender was wearing a shirt, which had the words “Not Today” written on the front. While I believe that he may have been a little fortuitous when deciding his wardrobe for today, it is most certainly fitting considering his location and current circumstances. Because, that’s the way our officers feel when responding to and investigating crimes of this nature, NOT TODAY!
Our citizens and people that own and operate these businesses work very hard to make a living, providing services and making ends meet, only to have someone break into their business, stealing their property, impacting their insurance cost and bottom line. Well, fortuitous or not, that shirt wins the prize as most appropriate shirt of the day. Not today, indeed!
