Columbus man accused of more than 60 auto break-ins

With the arrest of Archie Washington, 51, Columbus police believe they have solved 62 auto break-ins to include the Oct. 20 theft of a gun from Frank Lumpkin III's 2008 Nissan Titan, parked in the garage at his Cathryn Drive home.

Washington, of Gentian Blvd., was arrested Saturday about midnight after a 39-year-old Columbus man allegedly discovered him stealing property from his vehicle. When the victim approached the suspect, a fight broke out. Police were called and Washington was arrested and charged with three counts of entering an automobile, loitering and prowling, simple battery, possession of drug related objects and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Columbus Police Lt. Gil Slouchick said subsequent investigation linked Washington to 62 additional auto thefts that occurred in October in the following areas: Gentian Blvd, Reese Road, Tomahawk Drive, Lookout Drive, Cathryn Drive, Iris Drive, Dell Drive and Averett Drive.

Washington's case has been bound over to Superior Court. He is currently in the Muscogee County Jail.

Lumpkin, 50, the son of one of Columbus' most prominent residents, faces an aggravated assault charge after shooting a teenager he found in his stolen car Oct. 21.

He is accused of shooting a 16-year-old in the side with a 9 mm pistol at a gas station at 1538 Fort Benning Road while trying to retrieve his wife's stolen SUV.