MainStreetNews

The Commerce Police Department has confirmed that officers arrested a Braselton man wanted on charges related to an early morning crime spree in Winder.

Authorities had been seeking Waylon Robert Westbrooks, 17, of Kirby Circle in Braselton after he was identified as the perpetrator in an early morning vehicle theft from a Winder subdivision.

Westbrooks allegedly stole a 2006 F-150 truck from a Shenandoah Lane address between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The vehicle was later involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on I-85 in Jackson County.

Westbrooks was also listed as a suspect in a series of car break-ins overnight on Buena Vista Street and St. Ives Circle in Winder. According to police reports, the suspect acquired a large caliber handgun from one of the vehicles.

After being involved in the Jackson County car crash, Westbrooks reportedly stole another vehicle from a residence near the accident scene.

Westbrooks was apprehended after a pawn shop owner in Commerce noticed Westbrooks stealing money from the store cash register. As Westbrook fled the scene, the pawn shop owner made note of the license plate on Westbrooks' vehicle and called police.

Lt. Harmon of the Commerce Police Department said officers apprehended Westbrooks a short time later at a nearby gas station.

Westbrooks has been turned over to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, according to Harmon.

The Jefferson Police Department confiscated some $40,000 in marijuana and arrested one person Wednesday in a raid on a Jefferson home.

Charles Mark Day, 43, Storey Street was arrested and charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of non-game species and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Officers conducted a search warrant on Day’s home where they found 40 marijuana plants being grown in his basement. Officers also found a frozen owl and hawk in the house.

The U.S. Stock Market began to tumble Monday afternoon after the House of Representatives rejected a bailout bill 228-205.

What do you think of the bailout plan? Add comments here.

A twin-engine plane had a rough landing Thursday afternoon at the Jackson County airport. According to emergency dispatchers, the plane's landing gear failed and the plane landed on the fuselage, skidding off the right side of the runway.

No one was injured in the crash landing. The Piper Twin Comanche did sustain some damage to the underbody and propellers, according a report of the incident. The plan was reportedly being flown by Julian Larry Jordan of Hartwell.

The Harrisburg Fire Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office deputies and Jackson County EMS responded to the scene around 4 p.m. Thursday.