Police: Old Buena Vista Road search leads to trafficking Ecstasy charge, stolen items

A Wednesday search at an Old Buena Vista Road apartment led police to trafficking Ecstasy charges and the seizure of a ring stolen during a smash and grab theft at the Jewelers Touch in Columbus Park Crossing, police said Thursday during a Recorder’s Court hearing.

Devontae Morris, 23, and Jimmie Chavis, 55, were arrested during a search at 475 Old Buena Vista Road. Chavis was charged with trafficking Ecstasy, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, forgery second degree, possession of a drug-related object and two counts each of sell or manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm and theft by receiving stolen property. Morris was charged with trafficking Ecstasy, trafficking cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sell or manufacture of a controlled substance.

Both pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge Robert Wilson ordered each held without bond on the trafficking charges and bound all charges over to Superior Court.

Police Sgt. Andrew Chesser said officers were called to an apartment on Old Buena Vista Road at 6 p.m. Wednesday after a wanted suspect, Morris, was spotted outside the building where a fire was burning. After police arrived, the man attempted to put out the fire before he fled into the apartment.

Chesser said Morris was inside the apartment 10 to 15 minutes before he surrendered to authorities. Police found a ring on Morris that possibly was taken during a smash and grab theft at the Jewelers Touch in Columbus Park Crossing on Monday. Police said $15,000 to $30,000 worth of items were taken.

A search executed inside the apartment yielded 2 ounces of Ecstasy, $150 in cash and more than an ounce of cocaine. A 9 mm pistol was found in a kitchen drawer and a second pistol in the bedroom.

Chesser said Chavis wasn’t home during the search but came to apartment afterward. Represented by attorney Alfonza Whitaker at the hearing, Chavis told police at the scene that he knew nothing about guns and narcotics in the house, Chesser said.

Detective Michael O’Keefe, who assisted in the search, said the aqua ring found on the suspect was valued at $750 and it was confirmed as an item taken in the jewelry store theft. A second ring was found in the bedroom between the mattress and box springs. Other items found included a Rolex watch and two counterfeit $20 bills.

Total value of the seized Ecstasy and cocaine was estimated at $7,900.

Neither Morris nor Chavis testified during the hearing. Morris was represented by public defender Owen Lynch.

Police said an investigation is continuing in a series of business burglaries. More charges may be filed in connection with those cases.

This story was originally published October 5, 2017 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Police: Old Buena Vista Road search leads to trafficking Ecstasy charge, stolen items."