Wanted man captured in Mississippi

'Armed, dangerous' convicted felon accused in violent armed robberies

John Arthur Morris

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man wanted in connection with a series of violent armed robberies, who had recently been seen traveling in the Jacksonville area, was captured Monday afternoon in Mississippi, the FBI announced.

Agents said John Arthur Morris, 47, a convicted felon, may be responsible for as many as 11 robberies in Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

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He was captured without incident during a traffic stop in Mississippi.

Morris, who is from Columbus, Georgia, was considered armed and dangerous, FBI officials said. The robberies he is accused of took place between January and August 2016.

Morris is accused of robbing nine businesses in Columbus, Georgia, one in Phenix City, Alabama, and one in Kissimmee, Florida. The businesses include automotive parts and supply stores and a restaurant.

Morris was armed in each robbery with a handgun that he pointed at his victims, agents said.

On many occasions, Morris forced his victims at gunpoint to a back room or office and used zip ties or telephone cords to tie them up, agents said.

In the restaurant armed robbery, he is accused of abducting the manager at gunpoint and forcing her to drive him a few blocks away from the restaurant in her vehicle.

A State of Georgia felony arrest warrant was issued July 11 based on the May 13 armed robbery of an automotive parts store in Columbus.

Also in July, the Phenix City Police Department issued a felony arrest warrant for Morris for the July 10 armed robbery of an automotive supply business in that area.

On Aug. 14, Morris allegedly robbed another automotive supply store in Kissimmee.

A federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued for Morris on Aug. 18.