On Sunday, June 22, two men were arrested in connection with a Cedartown burglary after both suspects were stopped for driving under the influence (DUI) in stolen cars.

Detective Steve Molock of the Cedartown Police Department said the incident began with a burglary at DLM Automotive, 836 N. Main St., which was reported to police at approximately 12:46 p.m. “The suspects went to DLM Automotives and found a transmission that was around the back of the business,” the detective said. “They tossed the transmission through the glass front door and made their way into the office.”

Inside the building, the suspects, Robert Glenn Jones, 32, of a Rome address, and 48-year-old Randy Ledford, of 6625 Vale Farm Dr. SE, Acworth, ransacked the office, stealing assorted mechanic’s tools and the keys to two vehicles – a 1991 Saturn and a 1994 Chevrolet Astro van. Driving separately, the two ran through the rear fence and exited the lot.

At approximately 7:44 a.m., approximately five hours before the burglary was reported, Officers Henry Runyan and Earl Kinne were dispatched to a possible shoplifting incident at Discount Foods, Main St. “While taking a report on shoplifting,” Molock said, “the officers saw a van driven by Ledford. He was stopped and charged with DUI – alcohol and drugs, driving on a suspended license, theft by shoplifting, no proof of insurance, driving with an expired license plate, failure to maintain lane and three counts of theft by receiving.”

The officers, Molock said, searched the vehicle and found numerous tools; it wasn’t until the burglary was reported that police realized to whom the van and stolen tools belonged.

Once the burglary report was made, police spoke with witnesses who gave descriptions and tag numbers for the van and the Saturn. Runyan and Kinne then matched Ledford’s vehicle with the stolen DLM van. “Ledford was additionally charged with burglary and criminal damage to property and booked at the Polk County Jail,” reported the detective.

Jones, however, was still on the move.

At approximately 4:22 p.m., Cartersville police were dispatched to an armed robbery at 1139 Tennessee St., Cartersville. When police arrived, the robbery victim described the suspect as driving a Saturn.

While investigating the robbery, police saw the suspected vehicle being driven by Jones. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, Jones accelerated and attempted to elude the patrolman. During the chase, both the officer and the suspect wrecked their vehicles.

Other officers arrived and Jones was arrested at the scene of the accident on charges of armed robbery, fleeing/attempting to elude, reckless driving, DUI – drugs and driving on a suspended license. He was then booked at the Bartow County Jail.

“Cartersville police checked the Saturn’s VIN (vehicle identification number) and found it was stolen earlier from DLM,” Molock confirmed. “While in custody, the suspect made statements that he had taken the car from Cedartown.”

Jones then faced the additional charges of burglary, criminal damage to property and theft of a motor vehicle, Molock said.