Cops: ‘Dose of liquid courage' leads 4 to steal school bus
A "dose of liquid courage" led four suspects to steal a school bus in Carroll County over the weekend, according to a report in the Times-Georgian.
Capt. Jeff Richards of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office told the newspaper that the petty crime spree began last Saturday when three Bowdon men -- James Burnett, 20; Christopher Burnett, 20; Earnest Harrison, 21 -- and a 16-year-old juvenile stole alcohol from a Carrollton Wal-Mart.
The group began riding through the city of Bowdon, damaging mailboxes and breaking windows in a night that culminated in the theft of a school bus from Bowdon High School.
All four have been charged with theft by taking a motor vehicle, police told the newspaper. The Burnetts and the juvenile also face charges of underage possession of alcohol. Harrison faces a charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Police said surveillance footage at the library recorded Christopher Burnett as the source of the broken windows, and as a result, he received an additional charge of criminal damage to property.
“We’re not sure yet how they got the bus started,” Richards told the newspaper. “They damaged some of the windows, but the school’s already taken it for repairs. The school may pursue more charges for criminal trespass and shoplifting,” Richards said.
About the Author
Fran Jeffries is a Newsletter Producer. She joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2005 as an Education Editor. She worked as a Breaking News Editor and Social Media Producer before joining the Newsletter team.
