Police hunt for Bryceville burglary suspect

YULEE, Fla. – Deputies in Nassau County are on the hunt Monday for a convicted felon who they said committed a series of burglaries in the Bryceville area between Aug. 16 and Aug. 21, while homeowners were out of their home, stealing mostly televisions and firearms, officials said.

According to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper, many of the houses that 46-year-old Chris Morgan targeted were on isolated dirt roads, taking his chances and knocking on the doors of each one before breaking in. 

"They would knock on the door and see if anyone was home and if there was no response, they would kick in the door in the front or in the back," Leeper said. 

According to officials, deputies and detectives began an exhaustive search after receiving multiple tips from witnesses who reported seeing a suspicious vehicle in the area during those days.

Due to those tips, deputies made a traffic stop on a 2003 Ford Focus that was being driven by Morgan who deputies later found out had multiple warrants for burglary and dealing in stolen property, officials said.

Before he could be arrested though, Morgan took off and managed to escape from police.

"We stopped that individual and got his information. Understood that he had a warrant out for him for burglary and stolen property. He did flee. We chased him into Jacksonville and he did elude officers," Leeper said. 

Morgan is still on the run and the Sheriff's Office is asking the public to make sure their homes are secured, be on alert and report any information about where Morgan may be to police immediately. 

"It is concerning, breaking into homes and stealing weapons, because we don't know what the individuals are doing with those weapons," Leeper said. "We do believe he's armed and dangerous so be careful if you do see the individual. Don't take any action yourself." 

Detectives said that Morgan was recently released from the Department of Corrections in 2014 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and has an extensive of burglary, narcotics and fleeing from police.

Officials are asking the public for help in locating Morgan and described him as a white male who was 6 feet 4 inches tall, 260 pounds, with green eyes and is bald.

Detectives said that Morgan usually drives a tan 2003 Ford Focus with the license plate number CPLQ48 or a 1997 gold Saturn S-Series with tag number DAVK80.

Anyone with information that could help detectives in locating Morgan are asked to call Detective Livingston with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office at 904-548-4052. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward by calling the First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-8477.