A Cottondale man who used a taxi as his getaway car is accused of stealing hundreds of collectible coins and hundreds more in cash and other valuables from a Grand Ridge motel owner last Sunday. He and his companion in the taxi also face drug-related charges.
David Thomas, 29, is charged with burglary in the case.
According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas had stayed at the Durden Family Inn in the past and was identified as a suspect when the thefts were discovered. Investigators received a tip that he was traveling in a taxicab and the car was pulled over. Thomas got out and ran, authorities said, and a deputy pursued him. A taser was used to subdue Thomas and take him into custody near the Pilot Truck Stop on State Road 71 after he resisted arrest, authorities reported. A deputy reported seeing Thomas throw a black backpack into the bushes behind the Waffle House on SR 71 during the pursuit. When investigators retrieved it, according to the release, they discovered the coins, cash and other stolen items.
A computer check also revealed that warrants existed for the arrest of Thomas on charges of burglary, grand theft, failure to appear on a stalking/harassment charge, and for violation of probation.
While searching the cab, investigators found several ingredients commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamines, authorities said. Thomas was additionally charged with possession of listed chemicals as a result of that discovery.
His companion in the taxi, Jennifer Seals, was also charged with possession of listed chemicals but is not charged in the burglary.
The case is similar to an incident which occurred in Marianna late last month. In that incident, Marianna police tried to chase down a suspicious person one night near the Executive Inn on Auction Drive. He got away, but dropped a backpack full of rare coins, rare stamps and other items as police were running after him. Marianna Police Department officials say Thomas is being looked at as a possible person of interest in connection with the July incident. Marianna police say the items were stolen from an area outside the city limits and that the information has been given to the appropriate law enforcement officials.
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