The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies arrested a Macon man within minutes of him stealing a vehicle, with a child still inside the car, from 2510 Pio Nono Avenue, Sunoco at 3:41 p.m.
Deputies were dispatched to the Sunoco gas station in regards to a male subject taking a vehicle with a child in it. While en route deputies were notified that the mother had pulled the child out of the car as the suspect was leaving in the Blue Honda Civic.
Deputies located the suspect as he was traveling on Eisenhower Parkway, near Pio Nono Avenue. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspect refused to stop and led deputies on a short chase. Deputies were able to take the suspect into custody, when he turned onto Harrison Road and pulled into the America’s Best Inn and Suites, 4991 Harrison Road.
The suspect let the vehicle roll into the side of the building, damaging one room. There was one female in the room when the vehicle stuck the wall.
The 25-year-old mother and her 4-year-old son went to the Navicent Health Med Stop to be checked out, they are both listed in stable condition. The 39-year-old female that was in the room was taken to the Navicent Health Medical Center for complaints of injuries and is listed in stable condition at this time.
The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Justin Roland Copeland; he was taken to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Office for questioning. He was then taken to the Bibb County Jail and charged with Theft by Taking Auto, Kidnapping, Cruelty to Children 1st Degree, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Damage to Property. He is being held without bond at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500, or Macon Regional CrimeStoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
