A Polk County burglary suspect who escaped police last week when the officer chasing him was struck by a train is now behind bars, authorities said.
Jayden Willis Moates, 18, was arrested by deputies in a Rockmart park Monday afternoon, Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd said.
He had been wanted since Jan. 7, when Moates allegedly broke into a home near the railroad track on College Street about noon and started carrying items out the back door, AJC.com previously reported.
RELATED: Polk County officer struck by train while chasing burglary suspect
Authorities said a woman who lives there came home during the midday break-in and called police. When he arrived at the scene, Polk County Officer Andy Anderson looked outside and saw Moates carrying a television away, Dodd said.
“The guy took off toward Piedmont Avenue and there was a train coming,” Dodd said. “(Anderson) heard the train whistle but he didn’t realize he was so close to the track. The train hit him on the right side of his body.”
Anderson suffered six broken ribs, a broken elbow, a broken shoulder bone and a concussion in the incident, which was captured on the officer’s body camera.
The 16-year Polk County veteran has since been released from the hospital, but is still in a lot of pain, Dodd said.
Anderson is charged with first-degree burglary and criminal trespass, Polk County jail records show. His bond amount has not been set. Authorities said he was wearing a neck brace during the alleged burglary.
A second suspect, 46-year-old Nancie Borders, was arrested last Tuesday after investigators determined she was Moates’ getaway driver during the burglary, police said.
According to Dodd, Borders was parked at a pizza restaurant about 300 yards from the home as Moates stole items and carried them down the tracks.
She is charged with being a party to a crime, criminal trespass, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and violating her probation. She remains held at the Polk County jail without bond, records show.
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