North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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September 6, 2010

Victim uses OnStar to lead deputies to suspects

By Ben Montgomery The North Jefferson News

NORTH JEFFERSON — Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested three men on burglary charges last week with the help of an OnStar operator, according to a press release by Chief Deputy Randy Christian.

On August 27, a Dora resident returned to her home in the 8500 block of Greathouse Loop Road to find an unfamiliar vehicle parked in her driveway.

“She watched one man enter her residence while two more sat in a truck that was backed into her car port,” said Christian. “The man emerged from her house and got into the truck and the suspects drove away,” Christian said.

Christian said the victim pressed the OnStar button in her vehicle and followed the suspects. When the OnStar operator responded, she told him what was happening and was patched through to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies received the call at about 1:30 p.m. and responded to the area.

Meanwhile, the suspects’ vehicle turned down a dead end road, turned around and drove past the victim’s car in the opposite direction.

“One of the suspects had exited the vehicle and fled into the woods,” said Christian. “A K-9 was called to track this suspect.” However, the K-9 unit was unsuccessful in locating him.

Christian said the victim eventually lost sight of the suspect’s vehicle, and a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) was issued by the sheriff’s office.

“Deputies in the area located the suspect vehicle on Warrior-Jasper Road and made a traffic stop. The suspects were identified as the ones who had broken into the house,” said Christian.

The third suspect was found walking down Greathouse Road and was taken into custody by deputies.

The three suspects were identified as Davon Antwon McClendon, 21, of Birmingham; Brendan Lamar Richardson, 23, of Center Point; and Alonzo Brimage, 23, of Birmingham. All three were charged with third-degree burglary and held on $15,000 bond each.

OnStar is a subscription-based service available on General Motors and Saab-manufactured vehicles that offers security as well as hands-free calling, driving directions, vehicle diagnostics and other services. Customers press an OnStar button installed in their vehicle to contact an operator to help them with their problem or situation.

“OnStar is a great tool we have had success with when locating a stolen vehicle,” said Christian.

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