Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators responded to a report of a commercial burglary in progress at the Family Dollar Store located at 4925 Bloomfield Road just before midnight Friday night. The suspect that fled the store was described as wearing black or dark clothing. A deputy responding to the store saw a male dressed in all black clothing running in the parking lot of a church near the store. As the deputy attempted to detain the male, he ran from the deputy. After a brief foot chase the male stopped and was observed holding a crowbar and large plastic bag in his hands. The male dropped the crowbar and bag but advanced towards the deputy after being given verbal commands to stop and get on the ground. The male was tased and detained without further incident. Inside the plastic garbage bag was 17 packs of Newport Cigarettes.
The male was identified as 39 year old Bennie Willis III of Macon. Willis was checked out by EMS at the scene then he was transported to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigative Division to be interviewed by investigators. After being interviewed, Willis was charged with burglary and transported to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center. Willis will appear before a Magistrate Judge for a bond hearing.
Anyone with information in reference to this incident is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.