Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
According to a Madison Police Department (MPD) report, on Thursday, Aug. 18, the MPD, with the assistance of the Madison County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), Madison Correctional Institute (MCI) Canine Unit and the Hamilton Correctional Institute (HCI) Canine Unit, apprehended 17 year-old Keandre Robinson, who was suspected of several recent burglaries in the city.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office Communications Center called MPD Officer Rebecca Garner, advising her that a suspect from a previous theft was seen at Cambridge Manor Apartments. Upon arrival, Garner spoke with a resident who said they saw the suspect leaving the area on a bicycle, and that he was wearing a white shirt and black pants. Robinson was later spotted heading south on Martin Luther King Boulevard. When Robinson saw the patrol car, he began pedaling faster. Police officers recognized Robinson and turned their lights on in an attempt to stop him. Robinson proceeded east on E.R. Scott Street then south on Lee Avenue, where he dropped his bike and fled on foot. Robinson was apprehended after a quarter-mile pursuit by Officer Scott Newman.
While this pursuit was taking place, officers received a call about a firearm theft that had recently occurred. After Robinson was read his rights, he was questioned about that theft, to which Robinson admitted. The firearm was retrieved from bushes along the pursuit route. Afterwards, Robinson was taken to the Madison Police Department for further questioning about recent thefts. He admitted to those thefts as well and agreed to show officers where he had hidden stolen properties from previous burglaries.
While at one of the locations of the burglaries, Robinson was seated in the front seat of Lt. Chris Cooks' vehicle, while Det. Mark Joost was returning from searching the location. Suddenly, Robinson was able to unbuckle his seatbelt, while handcuffed, and exited the vehicle and began running south, with Joost pursuing on foot behind him. Joost lost sight of Robinson in a wooded area and called for assistance from the MCSO. The MCSO quickly set up a perimeter and put a canine on the ground to work the area. The canine lead officers in the direction of Farmer's Cooperative on Horry Avenue.
With the assistance of canine units from MCI and HCI, officers continued pursuit, eventually securing the area around an abandoned house on Jordan Street. A witness alledgedly saw Robinson at the house, but after a thorough search, the house was determined to be vacant. MCSO deputies later spotted Robinson walking west on Ohio Street. and saw him duck into the bushes behind the old Ebony Club. He was soon apprehended by Deputies Brent Sims and Marcus Roell.
Robinson was charged with larceny, burglary, destroying evidence, resisting an officer, escape and grand theft of a firearm. Madison Police Chief Reggie Alexander is thankful for the many officers and deputies who assisted in capturing Robinson.