Alleged gang members charged in burglary ring after police chase ends with crash

Two men were arrested Wednesday afternoon after allegedly fleeing Columbus police in a in stolen SUV used in five residential burglaries, authorities said.

Kaleel Jones, 17, and Itavius Jones, 19, were arrested after the 2016 Ford Escape officials said they were traveling in crashed near Lake Rushin Drive. They were booked into the Muscogee County Jail.

Columbus Police Maj. Gil Slouchick said undercover detectives with the Property Crimes Unit were near Floyd Road and Booth Street around 3 p.m. Wednesday searching for a stolen white 2016 Ford Escape valued at $23,000. Officials said two burglary suspects used the SUV to commit multiple residential burglaries earlier that day.

Officers Cody Miller and Yolanda Knighten were off duty and headed home when they spotted the vehicle. They were in uniform at the time, according to a news release.

“These officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle and a brief vehicle pursuit ensued, ending with a vehicle crash when the suspects lost control,” Slouchick said.

Officials found stolen property in the SUV. The items were taken during burglaries in the 2700 block of 47th Street, 4800 block of St. Francis Avenue, 2200 block of 51th Street, 5300 block of Roundabout Drive and the 4400 block of Walking Stick Way.

Authorities said both suspects aimed a gun at a witness who confronted them on the scene of a burglary.

Kaleel Jones, who was identified as the driver, and Itavius Jones, who was identified as the passenger, were arrested on Lake Rushin Drive after a brief foot chase, authorities said.

Kaleel Jones was charged with five counts of first-degree burglary and one count each of theft by receiving stolen property, participating in criminal gang activity, aggravated assault, obstruction, fleeing to elude, striking a fixed object, failure to maintain lane, running a red light, running a stop sign and speeding.

Itavius Jones faces five counts first-degree burglary and one count each of theft by receiving stolen property, participating in criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and obstruction.

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Alleged gang members charged in burglary ring after police chase ends with crash."