Suspect apprehended before crimes reported

Timothy Engert was arrested on several felony charges related to vehicle break-ins in St. Marys, Georgia.

ST. MARYS, Ga. – Officers with the St. Marys Police Department arrested a 19-year-old St. Marys resident on Tuesday on felony charges related to vehicle break-ins.

Timothy Engert was taken to the Camden County Sheriff's Office and arrested on charges, including felony theft of a firearm, felony possession of a firearm during commission of a crime and felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Before the crimes had been reported, Engert was acting peculiarly along Douglas Drive, and officers chose to interview him, according to an SMPD news release. During the conversation, Engert's story did not make sense to the officers, and at one point the officers discovered he had stepped away from a gun that he had tucked into his waistband, which had dropped to the ground.

During the interview, calls began coming in from the Sugarmill area to report vehicle break-ins and thefts of items from inside vehicles, including a gun.

Officers were able to confirm the gun in Engert's possession belonged to the theft victim and that Engert was also in possession of other items that could be tied to the vehicle break-ins.

The St. Marys Police Department reminds residents to remove valuables from their vehicles or make sure the items are not in plain view. Officials also emphasize the importance of locking vehicle doors, as thieves often seek easy access targets.


About the Author:

A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.